Jeju United striker Shin Young-rok is awake after a 50-day coma, resulting from a serious heart attack in May, Cheju Halla General Hospital announced on Jeju Island, Monday.

Shin is now capable of communicating freely and will eventually be able to return to his normal life with the help of rehabilitation therapies, the hospital said. 

Shin was moved from the hospital’s intensive care unit Friday, according to staff.

Kim Sung-soo, chief of the hospital, said Shin was moved to the hospital at the right time on the day of his injury. “I think Shin was able to regain consciousness because a lot of our staff worked hard,” Kim said. “Shin’s had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome so it will take some time for him to heal. But we are staying positive.”

Shin lost consciousness on May 8, after falling on the pitch during a K-League game against Daegu. It was later revealed he had suffered a heart attack. He briefly awoke after 12 days of treatment but then slipped back into a coma.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)