With tumultuous year done, natl. football team players want to make fans happy in 2025

What has been a roller coaster of a year for the South Korean men's national team ended Tuesday night in Jordan, where the 22nd-ranked team settled for a 1-1 draw against world No. 100 Palestine in a World Cup qualifying match. It was South Korea's sixth Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers and also their last international match of 2024. It closed the book on one of the most tumultuous years in South Korean football in recent memory, a season that feature

SoccerNov. 20, 2024

Despite draw vs. Palestine, S. Korea poised for World Cup berth past halfway point in qualifiers

South Korea passed the halfway point in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification tournament on Tuesday in Jordan the same way they started it two months ago: a draw against Palestine. With four matches remaining, the Taegeuk Warriors are still comfortably leading Group B with 14 points from four wins and two draws, six clear of Jordan and Iraq before the end of their matches Tuesday, despite some lingering lineup questions. The top two teams from the group at the conclusion of the ro

SoccerNov. 20, 2024

S. Korea held by Palestine as winning streak ends in World Cup qualifiers

South Korea were held to a 1-1 draw by Palestine on Tuesday as their winning streak in the Asian World Cup qualifiers came to an end at four. Captain Son Heung-min netted the equalizer for 22nd-ranked South Korea in the 16th minute, four minutes after Palestine, world No. 100, had scored first at Amman International Stadium in Amman in the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was Son's 51st international goal, giving him sol

SoccerNov. 20, 2024

S. Korea held by Palestine as winning streak ends in World Cup qualifiers

South Korea were held to a 1-1 draw by Palestine on Tuesday as their winning streak in the Asian World Cup qualifiers came to an end at four. Captain Son Heung-min netted the equalizer in the 16th minute, four minutes after Palestine had scored first at Amman International Stadium in Amman in the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was Son's 51st international goal, giving him sole possession of second place on South Korea&

SoccerNov. 20, 2024

Lack of starting pitching depth exposed as S. Korea takes quick exit from Premier12

In taking an early exit from the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 in Taipei this month, South Korea was held back by its lack of depth among young, homegrown starting pitchers. South Korea's fate was sealed Sunday, its first offday of the tournament, when Japan and Chinese Taipei each won its game to grab spots in the Super Round as the top two teams in Group B. South Korea will not finish higher than third regardless of its result against Australia in the final Group B game

BaseballNov. 18, 2024

Im Jin-hee in hunt for top LPGA rookie award after runner-up finish in Florida

Following the best performance of her LPGA career on Sunday in Florida, South Korean Im Jin-hee has put herself in the hunt for the tour's top rookie award. Im finished tied for second place at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican at 11-under 269, after shooting a two-under 68 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. She had three birdies and one bogey Sunday. Im, Charley Hull of England and Zhang Weiwei of China all ended up three strokes behind the champion, Nelly Korda of the U

GolfNov. 18, 2024

Riding high, S. Korea looking to stretch winning streak vs. Palestine

It was barely two months ago that South Korea were held to a goalless draw by underdogs Palestine to begin the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Boos rained down from disgruntled fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sept. 5, some voicing their displeasure with the controversial hiring of Hong Myung-bo as head coach, and others letting their feelings known about the team's lackluster showing. Defender Kim Min-jae even argued with some fans in the stands after

SoccerNov. 17, 2024

Coach Hong cites single-minded focus as key to success in World Cup qualifying

South Korea men's football head coach Hong Myung-bo took the reins in July under less-than-ideal circumstances, dogged by criticism of an unfair hiring process by the Korea Football Association. He was booed lustily by home fans before, during and after his first match, a World Cup qualifier against Palestine on Sept. 5 in Seoul. That the match ended in a goalless draw only added fuel to the fire. With each passing match, though, Hong has gradually come to be viewed in a different light. Bo

SoccerNov. 15, 2024

Sonny scores in return as S. Korea beat Kuwait for 4th consecutive win in World Cup qualifying

Captain Son Heung-min marked his international return with a goal, as South Korea defeated Kuwait 3-1 for their fourth consecutive victory in the ongoing World Cup qualification round in Kuwait City on Thursday. Son converted a penalty that he had drawn himself at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium during the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was Son's 50th international goal, which put him in a tie for second place on

SoccerNov. 15, 2024

Suspended natl. Olympic chief Lee Kee-heung noncommittal on 3rd term despite clearance

The national Olympic chief Lee Kee-heung said Wednesday he was not yet prepared to make a decision on whether to run for his third term at the helm of the top sports body, despite being given clearance to do so by his own organization this week. Lee, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), returned home from Switzerland, where he had attended the World Union of Olympic Cities Sport Summit earlier in the week. He decided to come home a day earlier than initially scheduled. D

More SportsNov. 13, 2024

S. Korea coach not decided on Sonny's availability in World Cup qualifier vs. Kuwait

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said Wednesday he has not yet decided whether captain Son Heung-min will play against Kuwait in the upcoming World Cup qualifying match, with the Tottenham Hotspur talisman coming off a long injury layoff. South Korea, world No. 22, will face 135th-ranked Kuwait in their fifth Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualification tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday. The contest kicks off at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait C

SoccerNov. 13, 2024

Court grants figure skater injunction to pause ban over sexual harassment charges

A Seoul court on Tuesday granted an injunction sought by figure skater Lee Hae-in to pause a three-year ban issued by the national skating federation over sexual harassment charges. The Seoul Eastern District Court sided with Lee, who is now eligible to compete. Lee, the 2023 world silver medalist, was suspended for three years by the Korea Skating Union (KSU) in June, with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) confirming it two months later, over an incident that took place during a n

More SportsNov. 12, 2024

Incumbent S. Korean Olympic chief allowed to run for 3rd term despite suspension

The incumbent South Korean Olympic chief Lee Kee-heung was granted an opportunity to run for a third term on Tuesday, despite the cloud of a recent government-issued suspension looming large over his head. The Commission for Fair Play in Sport at the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) approved Lee's application to run for a third term as head of the KSOC on Jan. 14, 2025. Lee, 69, was first elected to the top KSOC post in September 2016 and won reelection in 2021. Per KSOC statutes

More SportsNov. 12, 2024

With Sonny back, S. Korea chasing 4th consecutive win in World Cup qualification

With their longtime captain Son Heung-min back from injury, South Korea will chase their fourth consecutive victory in the ongoing World Cup qualification tournament this week against Kuwait. South Korea, world No. 22, will visit 135th-ranked Kuwait at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City at 5 p.m. Thursday local time, or 11 p.m. the same night in Seoul. It will be the fifth Group B match for both nations in the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. S

SoccerNov. 12, 2024

Natl. Olympic chief faces uncertain future following suspension

Having been suspended by the sports ministry over alleged misconduct, the South Korean Olympic chief Lee Kee-heung faces an uncertain future as he seeks a third term at the helm of the top national sports body. The sports ministry announced late Monday it had suspended Lee's duties as president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. This came a day after the ethics inspection team under the Office for Government Policy Coordination had said it would ask police to investigate Lee, amon

More SportsNov. 12, 2024

Ministry suspends duties of sports body chief over alleged misconduct

The culture and sports ministry said Monday it has suspended the duties of Lee Kee-heung, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, over suspected misconduct. On Sunday, the ethics inspection team under the Office for Government Policy Coordination announced it asked the police to investigate Lee and other sports officials for alleged improper conduct, such as improper hiring practices and misuse of funds. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it requested a swift inves

More SportsNov. 11, 2024

Olympic shooter Kim Ye-ji announces break amid hate comments

South Korean pistol shooter Kim Ye-ji, who won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics, announced she will be taking a break from competitive shooting to focus on her family, a decision reportedly affected by a surge of criticisms online after achieving stardom following the Paris Games. Kim’s agency Plfil said Wednesday that Kim had terminated her contract early with her team, Imsil County Office, as there are no upcoming competitions for the remainder of the year. “I would like to br

More SportsNov. 8, 2024

Korean Series champions Tigers give manager new 3-year deal

The 2024 South Korean baseball champions Kia Tigers said Sunday they have given manager Lee Bum-ho a new three-year contract. The announcement came six days after Lee led the Tigers to the Korean Series title over the Samsung Lions in his first season in charge. Lee, 42, will make 2.6 billion won ($1.88 million) total in his new deal, which will take effect immediately in place of the second year of the two-year, 900 million-won contract Lee had signed in February. Under the new pact, Lee will e

BaseballNov. 3, 2024

FIFA President Infantino visits KFA

FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid a visit to the headquarters of the Korea Football Association in Seoul on Monday. Infantino arrived in South Korea earlier Monday to attend the Asian Football Confederation Annual Awards, scheduled to take place in Seoul on Tuesday evening. The KFA said this was Infantino's first visit to its office since 2017, when South Korea hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Infantino met with KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and other KFA officials. He was briefed on the c

SoccerOct. 28, 2024

An Byeong-hun triumphs after all-Korean playoff at Genesis Championship

An Byeong-hun beat fellow South Korean Tom Kim in a play-off at the Genesis Championship on Sunday to win his second DP World Tour title and first for almost 10 years. The home pair thrilled large crowds at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, near Seoul, as they both carded final-round 67s to finish level on 17-under. They went back down the 18th where Kim found trouble in the shape of the hospitality stands surrounding the green and could only make a bogey, leaving An a tap-in for victory.

GolfOct. 27, 2024