Lee Tae-seok is one of South Korea’s most exciting young defenders, now making his mark in European football.
This article covers his estimated net worth, his Austria Vienna contract, career salary history, and everything else worth knowing.
Lee Tae-seok’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee Tae-seok (이태석) |
| Date of Birth | July 28, 2002 |
| Age | 23 |
| Place of Birth | Incheon, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8½ in) |
| Position | Left Back / Left Winger |
| Current Club | Austria Vienna (Austria Bundesliga) |
| Shirt Number | 17 |
| Turned Professional | 2021 |
| Net Worth | ~$1 million (estimated) |
| Agent | IZ |
| Kit Sponsor | Adidas |
| Father | Lee Eul-yong (former South Korean international) |
Early Life and Career
Lee Tae-seok was born on July 28, 2002, in Incheon, South Korea, into a family with football running through its DNA.
His father, Lee Eul-yong, is a former South Korean international who represented the national team and played in Turkey with Trabzonspor, among other clubs.
Growing up, Lee Tae-seok spent parts of his early childhood abroad. His father moved to Trabzonspor in 2002 and the family lived in Turkey for a period before returning to South Korea.
That early exposure to international football culture likely shaped his outlook on the game from a young age.
Lee began his structured youth football journey with the FC Seoul academy in 2015, progressing through the club’s U15 and U18 programs at Osan Middle and High School, respectively.
He was clearly gifted — he earned the K League Junior U18 Group A Player of the Year award before graduating to the senior setup.
He received a priority call-up from the FC Seoul U18 team directly to the senior squad in January 2021 — a rare honor that underlined his exceptional talent. He had barely turned 18 at the time, but the club’s coaches saw enough to fast-track him.
Professional Career
Lee Tae-seok made his K League 1 debut on April 7, 2021, against Ulsan Hyundai, becoming one of the youngest players FC Seoul had introduced directly from their academy that season.
He went on to make 19 appearances that year without a goal, but steadily grew in confidence and consistency.
Over the next three seasons at FC Seoul, he became a reliable starter. According to Transfermarkt’s profile of Lee Tae-seok, he racked up 89 K League 1 appearances for FC Seoul across four seasons — a solid foundation for a player who was still in his early twenties.
On August 1, 2024, Lee moved from FC Seoul to Pohang Steelers in a trade involving Kang Hyeon-mu. At Pohang, he elevated his game further. He won the Korean FA Cup in 2024 with Pohang Steelers — his first major domestic honour as a professional.
His performances caught the attention of European clubs. In August 2025, Austria Vienna signed Lee Tae-seok from Pohang Steelers on a deal running until 2029, with the transfer fee reported at around €800,000.
In his debut Austrian Bundesliga season, Lee hit the ground running. In the 2025/26 season, he recorded 3 goals and 4 assists across competitive appearances, earning an impressive average FotMob rating of 7.327.
On the international stage, Lee made his senior South Korea debut on November 14, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier. As of May 2026, he has accumulated 15 caps and 1 international goal for the senior national team.
Lee Tae-seok’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Lee Tae-seok’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million.
At just 23 years old, he is still early in his earning curve, but his move to European football with Austria Vienna marks a significant financial step up from his K League days. His wealth comes primarily from his professional contracts in South Korea and now Austria, supplemented by his Adidas kit deal.
Contract
Lee Tae-seok signed with Austria Vienna on August 2, 2025, with his contract running until June 30, 2029. That gives him security in European football for four years — a strong signal of the club’s confidence in him.
The transfer fee Austria Vienna paid for his services was approximately €800,000, according to reports from Korean and Austrian media at the time of the move. You can verify his current profile details via Transfermarkt’s Lee Tae-seok page.
Salary
Exact salary figures for Austria Vienna players are not publicly disclosed.
Based on the club’s payroll structure as listed on Capology’s Austria Vienna salary page, and Lee’s position as a developing 23-year-old signing from the K League, his estimated annual salary sits in the range of €200,000–€350,000 gross per year — a realistic figure for a mid-tier Austrian Bundesliga regular at his level.
This represents a significant improvement over typical K League 1 salaries, which for players of his experience generally sit between $100,000–$200,000 annually.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Est. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$80,000 |
| 2022 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$100,000 |
| 2023 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | ~$120,000 |
| 2024 | FC Seoul / Pohang Steelers | K League 1 | ~$150,000 |
| 2025 | Pohang Steelers / Austria Vienna | K League 1 / Austrian Bundesliga | ~$200,000 |
| 2025–26 | Austria Vienna | Austrian Bundesliga | ~$280,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 19 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 30 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | FC Seoul | K League 1 | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Pohang Steelers | K League 1 / Cup / ACL | 20 | 1 | 2 |
| 2025 | Pohang Steelers | K League 1 / ACL | 24 | 1 | 2 |
| 2025–26 | Austria Vienna | Austrian Bundesliga | 30 | 3 | 4 |
| International | South Korea | Various | 15 | 1 | — |
| Career Total | 167+ | 5+ | 12+ |
FAQs
What is Lee Tae-seok’s net worth?
Lee Tae-seok’s estimated net worth is approximately $1 million. He built this wealth through professional contracts at FC Seoul, Pohang Steelers, and now Austria Vienna in the Austrian Bundesliga.
What club does Lee Tae-seok currently play for?
He plays for Austria Vienna in the Austrian Bundesliga. He joined the club on August 2, 2025, on a contract that runs until June 30, 2029.
Who is Lee Tae-seok’s father?
His father is Lee Eul-yong, a celebrated former South Korean international who played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and had stints at Trabzonspor and FC Seoul during his professional career.
How many caps has Lee Tae-seok earned for South Korea?
Lee Tae-seok has earned 15 senior caps for the South Korea national team, scoring 1 international goal. He made his senior debut in November 2024 in a World Cup qualifier.
What transfer fee did Austria Vienna pay for Lee Tae-seok?
Austria Vienna paid approximately €800,000 to sign Lee Tae-seok from Pohang Steelers in August 2025, according to reports from Austrian and Korean media covering the transfer.
