The domestic soccer league's runner-up last year is pushing to sign a North Korean midfielder.

Incheon United on Friday said it is interested in signing An Yong-hak, who is playing for Nagoya Grampus of Japan's pro league, and has contacted his team and agent.

Born in Japan, An belongs to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, a pro-North Korea group.

An played in several World Cup qualifiers last year, but the North failed to make it to the tournament.

If signed, he will be the third player with North Korean citizenship to play in South Korea's K-League.