The urgency is heightened by South Korea’s recent struggles. The team reportedly disappointed at the Asian Cup in January, with a semifinal defeat against Japan’s Under-21 side exposing concerns about both performance and preparation.
Lee has argued that his squad has not yet been fully available, and that explanation will now be tested immediately. South Korea are expected to treat the competition as a major objective rather than a routine youth tournament, especially after winning the previous three editions.
The report says the squad has been preparing specifically for Qatar and Saudi Arabia, opponents in a compact Group D.
The Asian Games squad includes three over-age players: Yang Hyun-jun of Celtic, Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City and Lee Gi-hyuk of Gangwon FC. For Yang and Eom in particular, the stakes appear especially clear.
A gold medal could remove the need to return to South Korea for military duty before the usual career peak. That matters for players already building lives in Europe, where a forced absence can disrupt club momentum and limit transfer opportunities.
The tournament’s format also offers South Korea an unusual advantage. With only three teams in the group, the top two are expected to advance, giving the side a margin for error while allowing the knockout stage to arrive with fewer matches played than elsewhere.
South Korea’s opening match against Qatar will reveal whether Lee’s confidence in a stronger, more complete squad is justified. Saudi Arabia will provide another demanding test before the knockout rounds.
For this group, the campaign is not simply about development. It is a chance to protect careers, restore national pride and turn pressure into a familiar Asian Games success story.