Former Newcastle Jets skipper Jade North rates the new league he is competing in as much better than the A-League.

The defender is currently playing with Incheon United in Korea's K-League and says he now understands ongoing comments made by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek who wants his players plying their respective trades overseas.

"It's the training that's the difference, it's just so much harder than what it is back home. I now fully appreciate why Pim has been critical of the A-League at times," said North.

"I realise what he's been talking about. I used to be one of those A-League players who probably didn't really understand what he meant and thought we were doing okay.

"Being up here has really opened my eyes. It took me to come to Korea to really appreciate the differences.

"It's what you do during the week which makes you a better player more than anything that happens on match-days, whether it's tactical things with the coaches or something just based on fitness levels.

"Everything in Korea is so professional, the training is so intense, it's just different to what you do in Australia."