Hong top-scored for North Korea during their memorable qualifying campaign and is regarded as one of their most potent attacking threats.
Hong found the net four times from 14 matches for coach Kim Jong-Hun's side on the road to South Africa this summer.
The talented and experienced forward is one of the few North Korean squad members to ply their trade away from their homeland.
Hong was granted permission by the communist state to join Serbian outfit FK Bezanija in 2007 from North Korea's April 25 FC, whose name comes from Military Foundation Day, and now represents FC Rostov in Russia.
He has worn the captain's armband at times in qualification and his attacking talents will be tested to the full as North Korea meet Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast.
