S. Korean footballer Kwon Chang-hoon scores 1st goal of season in France

South Korean football star Kwon Chang-hoon has scored his first goal of the season in France following his long-awaited return from injury. Kwon, an attacking midfielder for French League 1 club Dijon FCO, scored his side's second goal in their 3-1 win over fourth-tier club SC Schiltigheim in a French Cup round of 64 match at the Stade de l'Aar in Schiltigheim, France, on Saturday (local time).  (Yonhap)With Djion leading 1-0, Kwon fired a left-footed strike in the 72nd minute to help his side r

SoccerJan. 6, 2019

S. Korean golfer eyes LPGA's top rookie award in '19

South Korea has produced the past four LPGA Rookie of the Year Award winners. And Lee Jeong-eun wants to extend the streak to five in 2019.After dominating the Korea LPGA Tour over the past two seasons, Lee, 22, will take her talent to the US competition this year. She won the revamped LPGA qualifying tournament, named Q-Series, in Nov. and will now try to prove that her talent can translate to the world's premier circuit. (Yonhap)At a press conference in Seoul on Thursday discussing her goals f

GolfJan. 3, 2019

S. Korean table tennis body to open discussions on unified Olympic team with N. Korea

South Korea's table tennis federation will soon launch internal discussions on forming a unified team with North Korea at the next Summer Olympics, officials said Thursday.The Korea Table Tennis Association will convene its competition improvement committee meeting on Friday, with Ryu Seung-min, the 2004 Olympic men's singles champion and an International Olympic Committee member, chairing the occasion.At the top of the agenda will be the potential formation of a combined Korean team at the 2020

More SportsJan. 3, 2019

Winning continental tournament tops New Year's wish list for S.Korea football coach

When the New Year dawns, Paulo Bento, head coach for South Korean men's national football team, will be neither in his native Portugal nor in his adopted country to celebrate the occasion.The 49-year-old coach will be hard at work here in Abu Dhabi, where South Korea are preparing for the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup kicking off in a few days across the United Arab Emirates. The buildup will include a friendly against Saudi Arabia, which starts at 1 a.m. on New Year's Day, Seoul time.

SoccerDec. 31, 2018

S. Korean soccer sees tears, gold in roller-coaster 2018 season

South Korean soccer experienced yet another roller-coaster ride this year as it saw tears, gold and a coaching change under fans’ big expectations. 　The 2018 season is technically not finished for the South Korean men’s national soccer team as it awaits a friendly match against Saudi Arabia in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Still, the Taeguk Warriors went through enough competitions this year to give fans a full plate of ups and downs.　South Korea began this year with tuneup matches for the 2018 FIFA Worl

SoccerDec. 30, 2018

S. Korean football club Suwon sign N. Korean international An Byong-jun

South Korean pro football club Suwon FC said Thursday they've signed Japan-born North Korean forward An Byong-jun.  Suwon FC said An will play in the K League 2, the second division football league in South Korea, after completing his transfer from Japanese side Roasso Kumamoto. "An is an experienced forward who played more than 100 matches in Japan," Suwon said. "He is also a versatile player, so we believe he can help the team."An is a "Zainichi" -- an ethnic Korean resident in Japan -- who wa

SoccerDec. 27, 2018

In-form Son Heung-min scores double vs. Bournemouth

In-form South Korean forward Son Heung-min has scored a double for Tottenham Hotspur again as he continued his run of hot form this month. Son grabbed a brace in Tottenham's 5-0 win over Bournemouth in their English Premier League match at Wembley Stadium in London on Wednesday (local time). With Tottenham leading 1-0, he found the net with his right foot in the 23rd minute following a pass from Kyle Walker-Peters. The 26-year-old then rounded off the scoring for Tottenham in the 70th with his c

SoccerDec. 27, 2018

Chung Hyeon to kick off new season at exhibition tournament

Chung Hyeon, South Korea's top tennis player, will open his new season at an exhibition tournament in the United Arab Emirates this week.Chung, world No. 25, will be one of six male players at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship starting on Thursday in Abu Dhabi.Chung is the highest-ranked South Korean player but will be the lowest-ranked participant in the field, which features Novak Djokovic (No. 1), Rafael Nadal (No. 2), Kevin Anderson (No. 6), Dominic Thiem (No. 8) and Karen Khachanov (No

More SportsDec. 25, 2018

[Weekender] Don’t let the cold stop you: indoor winter sports

As the temperature drops, it becomes harder to get out of bed. The cold is particularly taxing for sports enthusiasts because tense muscles could make them more susceptible to injuries. Don’t even mention the biting cold and the ear-numbing winds.But for sporty souls, the cold is but a minor hurdle, as some skiers, snowboarders and skaters opt to enjoy their favorite winter sports in a cozy indoors environment. For adrenaline addicts who hate the cold, there are sports facilities that bring the

More SportsDec. 20, 2018

Tottenham's Son Heung-min scores 6th goal of season

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean forward Son Heung-min has scored his sixth goal of the season in his club's 2-0 win over Arsenal in a domestic cup competition.Son scored Tottenham's opener against Arsenal in their Carabao Cup quarterfinal match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Wednesday (local time). In the 20th minute, he broke the scoreless deadlock with his left foot following a pass from Dele Alli. (Yonhap)This was Son's sixth goal in the 2018-19 season, including his three goals in the

SoccerDec. 20, 2018

Asian Games hero voted S. Korea's top footballer of 2018

High-scoring forward Hwang Ui-jo has been voted South Korea's top male football player of the year, officials announced Tuesday.The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Hwang, who helped South Korea to the gold medal at this year's Asian Games, topped the voting by the media and the KFA's election committee.Hwang led all players at the Asian Games with nine goals in seven matches, as South Korea captured their second straight gold medal. Hwang, 26, was one of three overage players at the Asian

SoccerDec. 18, 2018

Showpiece stadium of 2022 World Cup to highlight Arab culture

Currently, the venue is no different from any other construction site, with cranes operating and workers in high-visibility colored vests and helmets moving around. But the SC said once it is completed, Lusail Stadium will showcase the ancient tradition of Arab craftsmanship and celebrate the region's hospitality. The design of Lusail Stadium features "fanar" lanterns and intricately detailed bowls that have been created for centuries in the region. According to FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samo

Olympic GamesDec. 18, 2018

[Newsmaker] Olympic short track champion gives tearful testimony against ex-coach in assault case

South Korean Olympic short track champion Shim Suk-hee testified against her ex-coach in an assault case on Monday, saying she wanted the truth to come out and justice to be served.Shim fought back tears as she read from a note during an appeals trial of her former coach Cho Jae-beom at the Suwon District Court in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul.Cho received a 10-month prison term in September for physically assaulting Shim and three other skaters, but he appealed the decision.  (Yonhap)Shim

More SportsDec. 17, 2018

Kim Yuna to perform at ice skating show in Spain

Kim Yuna will perform at an ice skating show in Spain, starting Friday.Representing Kim, All That Sports said Monday that Kim will star in “Revolution On Ice,” hosted by Spanish figure skater Javier Fernandez.Kim’s previous ice skating performance overseas was in 2012 in Shanghai, China. (Yonhap)“I am thrilled to perform at an ice show abroad after a long time,” Kim said. “It’s my first time (performing) to Spanish friends, so I will do my best.”Kim will donate her pay to UNICEF. She will perfor

More SportsDec. 17, 2018

Al Rayyan Stadium to be reborn for 2022 FIFA World Cup with recycled materials

For some South Korean football fans, Al Rayyan may be a familiar name. Al Rayyan SC, one of the most popular football clubs in Qatar, has a history of signing South Korean players. Veteran center back Cho Yong-hyung played with them from 2010 to 2014, and now former FC Seoul midfielder Koh Myong-jin is with the eight-time Qatar Stars League champions. This computer generated image provided by Qatar`s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy shows what Al Rayyan Stadium and its auxiliary facilitie

SoccerDec. 17, 2018

Xavi says Messi finishing 5th in Ballon d'Or 'unfair'

FC Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez said Saturday he believes it was "unfair" to have his former teammate Lionel Messi finish fifth on the Ballon d'Or ballot.Xavi, who is now with Qatari side Al Sadd, made the remarks during Saturday's media interview at the design launch ceremony for Lusail Stadium, the venue of the opening and closing matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha. The 38-year-old midfielder said he couldn't understand how Messi finished so low in a vote for football's top individua

SoccerDec. 16, 2018

S. Korea to play ASEAN football champion in March

South Korea will face the winner of a Southeast Asian football championship in a friendly match next spring, officials said Saturday.The East Asian Football Federation and the ASEAN Football Federation reached an agreement Saturday in Hanoi, Vietnam, to pit the winners of their respective regional tournaments against each another every two years. The one-and-done showdown will be called the AFF-EAFF Champions Trophy. In this photo provided by the Korea Football Association, Chung Mong-gyu (right

SoccerDec. 16, 2018

Unified Korean ping pong team takes silver at major event in S. Korea

The unified Korean mixed doubles table tennis team of Jang Woo-jin (South) and Cha Hyo-sim (North) took a silver medal at a major tournament near Seoul on Saturday.Jang and Cha were blanked by Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong 3-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-4) to settle for second place at the International Table Tennis Federation World Tour Grand Finals at Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of the capital. Cha Hyo-sim of North Korea (L) and Jang Woo-jin of South Korea react to thei

More SportsDec. 16, 2018

Son Heung-min wins November's Premier League Goal of the Month

Tottenham's Son Heung-min has won the Premier League Goal of the Month for November, with his stunning goal against Chelsea, according to the Premier League's website Saturday. (Yonhap)The South Korean forward scored his first league goal of the season in the 3-1 win at Wembley Stadium in London on Nov. 24."One of the best goals in my career because it was a London derby, a big game," Son told the Premier League website after receiving his award. "I was so excited to play Chelsea and score such

SoccerDec. 15, 2018

Unified Korean ping pong team wins 1st match at major tourney to take on S. Koreans

INCHEON -- The unified Korean mixed doubles table tennis team of Jang Woo-jin (South) and Cha Hyo-sim (North) won their first match at the season-ending tournament near Seoul on Thursday, setting up a showdown with a South Korean duo.Jang and Cha held off Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan 3-2 (12-10, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5) in the quarterfinals of the International Table Tennis Federation World Tour Grand Finals at Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of the capital. Cha

More SportsDec. 13, 2018