S. Korea coach finds it tough to predict best-case scenario at World Cup draw

South Korea men's football head coach Hong Myung-bo said Wednesday he could not yet predict the best possible scenario for his side at the upcoming draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hong landed at Dulles International Airport, near Washington, earlier in the day in order to attend the World Cup draw scheduled at noon Friday at the Kennedy Center in the US capital, or 2 a.m. Saturday. "Playing at a World Cup itself is a huge honor, for me personally as well," Hong told reporters upon his arrival.

Dec. 4, 2025

Lee, IOC chief highlight sports' role in improving inter-Korean ties

President Lee Jae Myung met with International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry on Wednesday and discussed the role of sports in improving inter-Korean relations, his office said. The two met at the presidential office during Coventry's visit to South Korea to attend a world anti-doping conference in the southeastern city of Busan. Lee asked the IOC chief for her interest and support for the development of South Korean sports, saying he hopes to be able to "see the Olympic flag" in th

Dec. 3, 2025

S. Korea takes 3 titles at Short Track World Tour in Poland

South Korea collected three titles on the final day of the latest stop on the International Skating Union Short Track World Tour in Poland, a day after being shut out of medals. Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong had a 1-2 finish in the women's 1,500-meter final at Hala Olivia in Gdansk on Sunday, leaving Courtney Sarault of Canada in third place. Kim crossed the line in 2:30.610, while Choi did so in 2:30.656, with the two Koreans charging to the front over the final stretch after biding their time

Nov. 24, 2025

Son Heung-min scores twice, misses penalty as LAFC lose in MLS playoffs

Son Heung-min netted two goals to force extra time but missed a penalty, as his Los Angeles Football Club fell to nine-man Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the shootout in the Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs. With LAFC down 2-0 at halftime, the South Korean superstar grabbed a brace in the second half to set up extra time in the Western Conference semifinals at BC Place in Vancouver on Saturday. After LAFC struck the woodwork multiple times during the 30-minute extra period, the teams went to penaltie

Nov. 23, 2025

S. Korea remain at No. 22 in last FIFA rankings before World Cup draw

On the strength of two consecutive wins this month. South Korea stayed at No. 22 in the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday, all but guaranteeing themselves a favorable position for the upcoming World Cup draw. South Korea defeated Bolivia 2-0 last Friday and then Ghana 1-0 on Tuesday to close out the year. South Korea added 5.53 points to reach 1,599.45 points to remain at No. 22. The position most likely means South Korea will be in Pot 2 for the World Cup draw, scheduled for noon on Dec. 5

Nov. 20, 2025

LPGA-bound Hwang You-min reaches career high in world rankings

Hwang You-min, set for an LPGA debut next year, has cracked the top 30 in the world rankings for the first time on the strength of her latest win on home soil. Hwang jumped four spots to reach No. 29 in the latest rankings unveiled Tuesday. Hwang won the Daebo hausD Championship at Seowon Hills Country Club in Paju, northwest of Seoul, in a playoff on Sunday for her third career victory on the Korea LPGA Tour. It was the domestic tour's season finale and the win could be Hwang's last one in Sout

Nov. 11, 2025

Lee congratulates esports team T1 on 3rd straight LoL championship win

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday congratulated South Korean esports team T1 on winning the League of Legends World Championships for the third consecutive year, calling it a "remarkable feat." Lee posted the Facebook message, after T1 clinched its third straight LoL title Sunday at the Dong'an Lake Sports Park Multifunctional Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, the first time a team has achieved such a record in the esports' history. "It is a remarkable feat that will go down in the history of esports

Nov. 10, 2025

[Graphic News] Hwang Sun-woo sets Asian record in 200-meter freestyle

South Korean swimmer Hwang Sun-woo has officially broken into the 1:43 range in the men’s 200-meter freestyle, achieving a historic milestone for Korean swimming. At the 106th National Sports Festival in Busan, Hwang touched the wall at 1:43.92, becoming only the seventh competitor in history to swim under 1:44 in the event. The exclusive list includes Paul Biedermann (Germany), Michael Phelps (US), David Popovici (Romania), Yannick Agnel (France), Luke Hobson (USA) and Danila Izotov (Russia) —

Nov. 6, 2025

Hwang Sun-woo sets new Asian record in 200m freestyle at national competition

Swimmer Hwang Sun-woo set a new Asian record in the men's 200-meter freestyle at a national competition. Hwang clocked in 1:43:92 for the gold at the National Sports Festival at Sajik Indoor Swimming Pool at Busan Sports Complex in the southeastern city of Busan on Monday, renewing his previous personal best and the South Korean national record of 1:44.40 set in 2023. He also beat the Asian record of 1:44.39, set by Chinese Olympic medalist Sun Yang. Lee Ho-joon finished second in 1:47.72. It is

Oct. 20, 2025

2-time Olympic speed skating champion Lee Seung-hoon retires from nat'l team

Lee Seung-hoon, the most decorated South Korean speed skater in Olympic history with six medals won at four Winter Games, announced his retirement from international competition Monday. Lee, 37, made his decision after missing out on a ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy in the men's 5,000 meters at the national team trials at Taeneung International Rink in Seoul. With the top two skaters earning their Olympic spots, Lee finished in fourth place with a time of 6:43.87. Chung Jae-won won

Oct. 13, 2025

Teen short tracker claims 2nd title at ISU World Tour

Teenager Rim Jong-un has finished his first International Skating Union Short Track World Tour competition by anchoring South Korea to the men's relay title in Canada. Rim teamed up with Hwang Dae-heon, Lee June-seo and Shin Dong-min for the men's 5,000-meter relay gold medal at the season's first World Tour stop at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal on Sunday (local time). The quartet clocked 6:50.781, with China finishing in second place in 6:51.160. This was the second gold medal of this event

Oct. 13, 2025

1st Disney Run in Seoul

Participants of Disney Run Seoul 2025, wearing T-shirts featuring Disney characters, run the course at Yeouido Park in Seoul on Saturday. Around 15,000 people took part in Disney's first branded running event in South Korea, organized by Walt Disney Company Korea in collaboration with SpoMax Korea and Herald Media Group. (Im Se-jun / The Korea Herald)

Oct. 12, 2025

Kim Ha-seong not decided on future after successful stint with Braves

After a successful September stint with the Atlanta Braves following a waiver pickup, shortstop Kim Ha-seong said Thursday he has not yet decided on his future. Kim returned home Thursday after completing his fifth season in Major League Baseball. He spent his first four years with the San Diego Padres and then signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in February. However, after undergoing shoulder surgery in October last year, Kim didn't make his Rays debut until July 4. Then after he returned to the fie

Oct. 9, 2025

Son Heung-min's goal-scoring streak snapped at 4 in LAFC's win

Son Heung-min of Los Angeles Football Club has failed to score for the first time in five matches in Major League Soccer, though his team still eked out a narrow win at home. Son's sidekick up front, Denis Bouanga, had LAFC's lone goal as they defeated Atlanta United FC 1-0 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday (US time) LAFC have now won five consecutive MLS matches. Their last 18 goals have been scored by either Son or Bouanga. Son entered this match having netted seven goals in his last fou

Oct. 6, 2025

Korean Basketball League kicks off 6-month run

The 2025-2026 Korean Basketball League kicked off Friday for a six-month run. A total of 10 teams will compete in a 54-game regular season through April 8, with breaks in November and February-March for FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The top six teams will advance to the playoffs, known locally as “spring season.” The season opened with a rematch of last year’s finals between LG and Seoul SK in Changwon, while Seoul Samsung faced Busan KCC, and Ulsan Hyundai Mobis hosted Wonju DB. LG Electronics is

Oct. 3, 2025