Tale of two fates for S. Koreans in minor leagues

Player A: 115 home runs in 1,184 games in South Korea. Zero 30-homer seasons. Two .300 seasons.Player B: 210 home runs in 868 games in South Korea. Four 30-homer seasons, including back-to-back 50-homer seasons in 2014 and 2015. Regular season MVP awards in 2012 and 2013.Both players are currently biding their time in the U.S. minor leagues, hoping for a shot in the Big Show. And as it turns out, Player A has a much better shot at cracking a major league roster this year, despite less impressive

BaseballJune 8, 2017

Shortest player in Korean baseball focusing on strengths

With only two games under his belt in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), Samsung Lions rookie outfielder Kim Seong-yoon can already lay claim to a record, unflattering as it seems.At 163 centimeters, Kim, 18, is the shortest player in the league's 35-year history. Kia Tigers' shortstop Kim Sun-bin had been the shortest for nine years at 165 cm. Kim Seong-yoon of the Samsung Lions speaks to reporters at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul before a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against t

BaseballJune 8, 2017

Korean football coach looks back at U-20 World Cup exit

SEONGNAM -- Shin Tae-yong, who coached South Korea at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, doesn't drink coffee these days because he just can't sleep well even without caffeine.South Korea were eliminated in the round of 16 at the U-20 World Cup at home after losing to Portugal 3-1 on May 30. Shin, who took over the U-20 side in December, still can't get the defeat out of his head.South Korea's under-20 national football team head coach Shin Tae-yong gives orders to the players during the FIFA U-20 World C

SoccerJune 8, 2017

Coach of reigning Korean football champs to coach All-Star Game in Vietnam

The head coach of the reigning South Korean professional football champions will lead the All-Star squad in mid-season festivities, the league office said Thursday.The K League, operator of the national pro competitions, said Hwang Sun-hong, bench boss for FC Seoul, will coach the K League All-Stars against the Vietnamese national team in their match at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on July 29. In this file photo taken on May 10, 2017, FC Seoul head coach Hwang Sun-hong awaits the start of t

SoccerJune 8, 2017

Korea football coach defends his choice of tactics in Iraq friendly

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates -- South Korea football coach Uli Stielike on Thursday defended his choice of using experimental tactics against Iraq in a friendly match that ended with a scoreless draw.South Korea, ranked No. 43 in the latest FIFA rankings, were held to a 0-0 draw by No. 120 Iraq in a friendly match at Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday. This match was a tune-up for South Korea's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar i

SoccerJune 8, 2017

Korea, Iraq play to scoreless draw in football friendly

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates -- South Korea played to a scoreless draw with Iraq in a men's football friendly match here on Wednesday. South Korea tested their players and tactics against Iraq at Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, but failed to collect a victory with no shots on target. This match was a tune-up for South Korea's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha next Tuesday.South Korean forward Son Heung-min (right) takes a shot agai

SoccerJune 8, 2017

Korea to have pro footballers' union

South Korea's professional football players will organize a union to defend their rights and enhance working conditions, a lawyer helping the establishment of the union said Wednesday.Park Ji-hoon, a lawyer who also works for local research group Center for Sports Culture, said South Korea's professional players union will get an approval from FIFPro, the international pro footballers' union, on Thursday at its Asia-Oceania Congress in Seoul. (Yonhap)FIFPro represents more than 65,000 players wo

SoccerJune 7, 2017

Korean special forces in UAE to cheer for nat'l football team in friendly vs. Iraq

South Korea's special forces troops in the United Arab Emirates will cheer for the national football team against Iraq in a friendly match here on Wednesday.South Korea, led by head coach Uli Stielike, will take on Iraq at the 5,200-capacity Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah at 9 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 2 a.m. Thursday in Seoul. This match is a tune-up for South Korea's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha next Tuesday. South Korea's national football team coaching st

SoccerJune 7, 2017

Ticket prices for 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Games announced

The organizers of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games on Wednesday announced the ticket prices for the multisport competition for disabled athletes, with the average price reaching 30,000 won ($26). The PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games said a total of 280,000 tickets will be on sale. The organizers expect to generate 4.2 billion won from ticket sales, with 70 percent of them sold in South Korea. (Yonhap)The POCOG said tickets for snow sport

Olympic GamesJune 7, 2017

New arrival hoping for long stay with Korean ball club

Jamie Romak, a midseason acquisition for the SK Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization, likes it in South Korea so much that he is hoping for a long stay here.In just 23 games after replacing Danny Worth, Romak has smacked 11 home runs and knocked in 23 runs. He's a key cog of the home run-hitting machine that is the Wyverns, who are leading the KBO with 99 home runs, a whopping 40 more than anyone else.Romak might have had a chance to join the big leagues this year, but he chose the KBO bec

BaseballJune 7, 2017

Jeju defender to visit Japanese football club to apologize for on-field violence

A South Korean defender will visit a Japanese football club later this week to apologize for his violent actions during the Asian Football Confederation Champions League match last month, his club said Wednesday.Jeju United said Baek Dong-gyu will visit Urawa Red Diamonds to personally apologize to Yuki Abe, whom he elbowed during a melee in the AFC Champions Leagued round of 16 second leg at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, last Wednesday. (Yonhap)"Baek wanted to meet Abe in person to apologi

SoccerJune 7, 2017

Korea football coach looking to get boost of confidence ahead of World Cup qualifier

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates -- South Korea football coach Uli Stielike will try to get a boost of confidence and find the best combination for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier next week when his team faces Iraq in a friendly in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.South Korea will take on Iraq at the 5,200-capacity Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah at 9 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 2 a.m. Thursday in Seoul. This match is a tune-up for South Korea's upcoming World Cup qualifi

SoccerJune 7, 2017

Nat'l football team baffled by Qatar's regional isolation

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates -- South Korea's national football team are having trouble finding the quickest way to reach Qatar amid a diplomatic rift in the Gulf region, an official from the national football governing body here said Tuesday.South Korea, led by head coach Uli Stielike, will take on Qatar in Doha next Tuesday for the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Before the crucial World Cup qualifier, South Korea are set to face Iraq for a tune-up in the Unit

SoccerJune 7, 2017

Korea to fine-tune World Cup preparation with Iraq friendly

South Korea will fine-tune their preparation for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier when they face Iraq in a friendly this week.South Korea, led by head coach Uli Stielike, will take on Iraq at the 5,200-capacity Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, at 9 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 2 a.m. Thursday in Seoul.This match is a tune-up for South Korea's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 13. With three matches remaining in the final Asian quali

SoccerJune 5, 2017

New supplier of Korean nat'l skating uniform vows quality products

A Dutch sports apparel company recently named the new uniform supplier for the South Korean national skating team has vowed to provide top-notch products for next year's Winter Olympics.Danny Segers, chief operating officer of Hunter, told Yonhap News Agency that the company has a strong track record with the Dutch athletes in terms of improving their results in Hunter's uniforms."We're fitting out suits for everyone, and we'll get feedback for changes," Segers said last Friday, during a visit t

More SportsJune 5, 2017

Midfielder determined to show his character in long-awaited nat'l team return

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates -- After making a long-awaited national football team return, Lee Myung-joo is ready to give his all even if he doesn't play.Lee made the national football team return for the first time since January 2015 after head coach Uli Stielike included the hard-working midfielder for South Korea's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 13. With only three matches remaining, South Korea are second in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round

SoccerJune 5, 2017

Kim In-kyung earns 5th LPGA victory

South Korean Kim In-kyung has won for the fifth time in her LPGA career.Kim beat Anna Nordqvist by two strokes to win the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club's Bay Course in Galloway, New Jersey, on Sunday (local time).Kim fired a two-under 69 in the final round for a three-round total of 11-under 202 in her first victory of 2017, and cashed in $225,000 in the winner's check. Nordqvist, two-time defending champion, also carded a two-under 69.Kim In-kyung of South Korea

GolfJune 5, 2017

Korean Chung Hyeon pushes Nishikori to limit in 3rd round loss at French Open

Rising South Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon pushed Japanese star Kei Nishikori to the limit before falling in the weather-delayed third round match at the French Open on Sunday.Nishikori, world No. 9, beat the 67th-ranked Chung 3-2 (7-5, 6-4, 6<4)>-7, 0-6, 6-4) to advance to the round of 16 for the third straight year at Roland Garros.Chung Hyeon of South Korea hits a shot against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their third round match at the French Open at Roland Garros, Paris, on June 4, 2017.

More SportsJune 5, 2017

Longest on-base streak in Korean baseball ends at 86

The longest on-base streak in South Korean baseball came to an end at 86 games on Sunday.Kim Tae-kyun of the Hanwha Eagles went 0-for-4 in a Korea Baseball Organization regular season game against the SK Wyverns at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, some 160 kilometers south of Seoul.Kim had been on base in each of his past 86 games, a KBO record by 23.Kim Tae-kyun of the Hanwha Eagles reacts after flying out to left against the SK Wyverns in their Korea Baseball Organization regular season gam

BaseballJune 5, 2017