As an unknown player who played for a university, Hwang was suddenly selected for the South Korea squad for the 1988 AFC Asian Cup by the manager Lee Hoe-taik, who kept an eye on him since he became a high school player. He scored two goals, each of which were scored against Japan and Iran, in the tournament. Following outstanding performances, which scored seven goals in qualifying campaign, he was included in the South Korea squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, but his plays weren't in sync with colleagues' teamwork in the competition, and couldn't prevent three losses of team in the group stage.