[2] He was also included in South Korea's squad that came runners-up to Saudi Arabia in the 1988 AFC Asian Cup.

The year after Choi retired as a player, he went to Leverkusen and Cologne in Germany to study football management.

He insisted that his reign would only last until the end of World Cup qualifiers, saying, "I asked that [the contract only runs until June 2013].

[7] South Korea narrowly qualified for the World Cup by finishing as runners-up in their group due to goal difference, although they were on the same points as third-placed team Uzbekistan.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz hit back at this statement by claiming that Choi had humiliated the Iranian people and demanded an immediate apology.

Instead, Choi said Iran seemed to make unnecessary provocations in desperation and that Queiroz would watch the World Cup on TV.

[8] After Iran won this match, Queiroz showed his anger on Choi with a raised fist gesture which was deemed offensive by the Korean players and staff, almost causing a fight between the two teams.