A place in a pre-tournament camp is not the same as a confirmed ticket, but it is usually a strong signal.
That matters because timing is everything for players coming off a long Championship season. A short conditioning block can be decisive, especially for midfielders expected to press, cover ground and settle quickly into national-team patterns.
Paik has appeared to sit firmly in the national-team picture for some time. He is an experienced international, and his profile gives South Korea balance in central areas: he can keep possession moving, work without the ball and offer tactical discipline.
The report also says he has pushed to stay available for selection rather than shut down early. That kind of availability often counts in major tournament decisions, particularly when coaches are weighing reliability against late fitness doubts elsewhere in the pool.
The inclusion of Bae and Eom in the same camp also hints at how closely South Korea are tracking younger or emerging options from English football. The Championship has become a useful proving ground: intense schedule, physical demands, limited time on the ball.
For South Korea, that creates a useful selection test. Players arrive battle-hardened, but they still need to show sharpness and tactical readiness in a short window.
The next step is the one that matters most: the final announcement. Until then, Paik’s presence in camp looks encouraging rather than conclusive - and the weekend squad reveal is now the storyline to watch.