The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Institute of Sport Science on Dec. 21 said Son Heung-min has an economic generating effect of KRW 1.9885 trillion. The photo shows Son on Nov. 18 playing for the national team in a game versus Brazil at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Yonhap News)

By Sarah Oqelee and Lee Jihae 

Soccer star Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur has had an economic generating effect of an estimated KRW 2 trillion.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Institute of Sport Science on Dec. 21 said a study has calculated his effect at KRW 1.9885 trillion.

The striker has a transfer value on the European soccer market of an estimated KRW 120.6 billion, helped Korea export consumer goods worth KRW 305.4 billion to Europe that also led to output of KRW 620.7 billion, and created added value of KRW 195.9 billion. 

Son's intangible value to Korea such as through raising national pride and motivating youth was KRW 727.9 billion and advertising sales KRW 18 billion a year.

These figures are based on the Korea Customs Service's trade data, a Bank of Korea table of inter-sector relations, and surveys conducted both at home and abroad.

The ministry said in a statement, "Son Heung-min's value as a player is continuously rising given his performance, and the current estimate is considered the minimum given that he is in his prime as a player."

"His economic generating effect is expected to rise further."

Son has scored 11 goals in 14 games this season in the English Premier League, emerging as a bonafide star in the league.

sarahoqelee@korea.kr