What tensions? N. Korean hockey players enjoy downtime in S.Korean seaside city

North Korean women's hockey players enjoyed some downtime in between their games in South Korea on Monday, taking in the sights of an East Sea beach here with geopolitical tensions on the peninsula apparently not on their minds.North Korea had a disappointing start to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championship Division II Group A in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, on Sunday, falling to Australia 2-1. Members of the North Korean women's hockey team play on Gyeongpo Bea

More SportsApril 3, 2017

Uli Stielike stays on as Korea football coach

South Korea's football governing body said Monday the men's national team head coach Uli Stielike will remain at the helm despite an uninspiring World Cup qualifying performance last month. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said its technical committee decided to keep Stielike as the national team boss after discussing his status in a meeting at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul. The technical committee, led by KFA Vice President Lee Yong-soo, reserves the right to hire and

SoccerApril 3, 2017

Korea to approve NK's possible participation in PyeongChang Olympics

South Korea's unification ministry said Monday it plans to allow North Korea to take part in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics if Pyongyang decides to do so.On Sunday, North Korea expressed its intent to take part in the Winter Games in PyeongChang, 180 kilometers east of Seoul, and its sub-cities, according to Choi Moon-soon, the provincial governor of the host city. (Yonhap)Seoul's unification ministry said that a set of U.N. sanctions and punitive measures against North Korea's nuclear pro

Olympic GamesApril 3, 2017

Korea unveils 25-man provisional squad for U-20 World Cup

The South Korean under-20 football team head coach Shin Tae-yong on Monday announced a 25-man provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA competition at home.South Korea will host the FIFA U-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11 in six cities. The young Taeguk Warriors are in Group A with Argentina, England and Guinea. South Korean national under-20 football team head coach Shin Tae-yong speaks during a press conference at the Korea Football Association (KFA) headquarters in Seoul on April 3, 2017. (Y

SoccerApril 3, 2017

Korean Ryu So-yeon captures 2nd career LPGA major

South Korean golfer Ryu So-yeon has captured her second career LPGA major championship.Ryu defeated Lexi Thompson with a birdie on the first playoff hole to win the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club's Dinah Shore Tournament Course in Rancho Mirage, California, on Sunday (local time). In this Associated Press photo, Ryu So-yeon of South Korea watches her putt during the final round of the ANA Inspiration tournament on the LPGA Tour in Rancho Mirage, California, on April 2, 2017. (Yonh

GolfApril 3, 2017

Toronto-born hockey player wants to do Korea proud at Olympics

It was a symbolic moment in South Korean women's hockey at the world championships in Gangneung, and one that the country would love to see often at the Winter Olympics on home ice next year.There was Randi Griffin, born in the United States to a Korean mother and an American father, flying down the right wing in a 2-on-1 chance against Slovenia on Sunday. She then threaded a perfect pass to Danelle Im, a Canadian native of Korean descent, who slapped it home to give South Korea a 4-1 lead.In th

More SportsApril 3, 2017

Korean women's hockey coach wants to minimize defensive lapses

South Korea soundly defeated Slovenia 5-1 to open the women's hockey world championships at home on Sunday, but its coach Sarah Murray still found something lacking.South Korea outshot Slovenia 78-12 for the breezy win at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship Division II Group A at Kwandong Hockey Centre in Gangneung, Gangwon Province.South Korean players celebrate a goal against Slovenia at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship Division

More SportsApril 3, 2017

Chung Mong-joon set to take FIFA ban appeal to CAS

Former FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-joon has decided to take his appeal against a five-year ban from football to the world's top sports tribunal, his camp said Thursday.Chung, who was a FIFA vice president from 1994 to 2011, will file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport over FIFA's decision to kick him out of the football community for five years, according to officials working with the 65-year-old South Korean. Chung will further discuss his decision at a press conference next T

SoccerMarch 30, 2017

Korean bobsleigh tandem wants to grab Olympic medal on merit

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea -- As important as home track advantage is in Olympic bobsleigh competitions, the South Korean tandem of Won Yun-jong and Seo Young-woo said Thursday they'll try to win a medal next year on their own merit.Won, the pilot, and Seo, his brakeman, represent a strong medal hope for host South Korea at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. South Korean bobsleigh pilot Won Yun-jong (C) speaks at a press conference alongside his coach Lee Yong (L) and brakeman Seo Young-woo at

More SportsMarch 30, 2017

Hall of Famer George Brett to throw out ceremonial first pitch in Korea

Hall of Famer George Brett will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for a South Korean baseball club this weekend.The NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization said Brett, who spent his entire 21-year career with the Kansas City Royals, will do the honors on Sunday in the third game of their season-opening series against the Lotte Giants at Masan Stadium in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, some 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. In this Associated Press photo taken on March 15, 2017, Geor

BaseballMarch 30, 2017

Korea eyes record medal haul at 2018 Winter Olympics at home

Host South Korea will eye a record medal haul at the 2018 Winter Olympics, a senior sports official said Thursday.Lee Jae-kun, head of the National Training Center in Seoul, said South Korea's goal at the PyeongChang Winter Games is to grab at least eight gold medals to finish inside the top four in the medal race next February.At a press conference, Lee added the country will also chase four silver medals and eight bronze medals. Soohorang (R) and Bandabi, the official mascots of the 2018 Pyeon

More SportsMarch 30, 2017

NK ensures safety of S. Korean women football players for Pyongyang matches

North Korea has sent a document guaranteeing the safety of South Korean women football players who seek to visit Pyongyang next month for the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifying matches, Seoul's unification ministry said Thursday.Late Wednesday, South Korea's football governing body received the document in an email via the Asian Football Confederation as the Group B qualifying games will be held in North Korea from April 3-11, the ministry added.South Korean players will have a match with their No

SoccerMarch 30, 2017

Nat'l football federation to meet over status of beleaguered coach

The national football governing body will convene a meeting next week to discuss the status of the beleaguered men's coach, Uli Stielike, officials said Thursday.The Korea Football Association will hold a technical committee meeting sometime next week to break down what's been ailing the men's squad in the ongoing Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. South Korea men's national football head coach Uli Stielike waits for the start of the World Cup qualifying match against Syria at S

SoccerMarch 30, 2017

All-Korea women's hockey showdown scheduled south of border amid tension

The Koreas are set for a women's hockey showdown south of the border next week, a match taking place against the backdrop of increasing tension on the peninsula.Gangneung, Gangwon Province, some 230 kilometers east of Seoul, will host the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship Division II Group A starting Sunday. Gangneung Hockey Centre and Kwandong Hockey Centre will be the two venues during the April 2-8 tournament, which doubles as a test event for the 2018 PyeongChang

More SportsMarch 30, 2017

South Korean U-20 football team defender out for 6 weeks after collision

South Korean national U-20 football team defender Jeong Tae-wook will be out for six weeks due to a small fracture in his neck following a ferocious collision with a Zambian player, the Korea Football Association said Tuesday.Jeong fell to the ground unconscious during the match against Zambia in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, at a FIFA U-20 World Cup test event on Monday. In the 80th minute, he and Zambian midfielder Kenneth Kalunga collided in the air when vying for the ball. Jeong Tae-w

SoccerMarch 28, 2017

Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-jin joins starting rotation thanks to solid spring

Bouncing back from two surgeries, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin has joined the starting rotation thanks to a solid preseason.Manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday (local time) that Ryu will be one of five starters when the regular season opens April 3.In this Associated Press photo taken on March 11, 2017, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Phoenix

BaseballMarch 28, 2017

Players want to send off veteran with postseason berth

As the Samsung Lions prepare to bid farewell to veteran slugger Lee Seung-yuop after the 2017 Korea Baseball Organization season, his teammates would like nothing more than to send him off in style.Team captain Kim Sang-su and third-year star Koo Ja-wook, in particular, are hoping Lee's last game will come in the postseason.Kim Sang-su of the Samsung Lions smiles after a two-run single against the LG Twins during their Korea Baseball Organization preseason game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Dae

BaseballMarch 28, 2017

Seoul franchise goes for 3rd straight title as new baseball season looms

When the Korea Baseball Organization starts its 36th season with all 10 clubs in action Friday, one team will have the proverbial bull's-eye on its back as it chases its third straight championship.The Doosan Bears have won the past two KBO titles and will enter the 2017 season firmly entrenched as the favorite once again.Members of the Doosan Bears celebrate their preseason victory over the Samsung Lions in the KBO at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on March 24, 2017. (Yonhap)Only two other franchises

BaseballMarch 28, 2017

Korean baseball not short on stars as home run king readies for farewell tour

From hulking sluggers to former major league starters, the 2017 Korea Baseball Organization season will not be short on star power, even as its greatest home run hitter embarks on a farewell tour.Former KBO MVP Lee Dae-ho has rejoined his former club Lotte Giants after spending the previous five seasons in Japan and the United States. He signed a four-year deal worth 15 billion won ($13.5 million), the largest contract ever handed to a free agent in the league's 35-year history. The Giants, who

BaseballMarch 28, 2017

Korea beats Zambia 4-1 at U-20 World Cup test event

South Korea beat Zambia 4-1 to collect their second straight win at a FIFA U-20 World Cup test event here on Monday. FC Barcelona Juvenil A forward Lee Seung-woo grabbed a brace, while his club teammate Paik Seung-ho scored a goal and set up another at Cheonan Stadium in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul, for South Korea's impressive performance against Zambia. Gearing up for the U-20 World Cup as the host, South Korea invited Honduras, Zambia and Ecuador for the current tournament as a

SportsMarch 27, 2017