Journalist

Kang Sang-heon
  • Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2 to win first World Baseball Classic title
    Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2 to win first World Baseball Classic title Venezuela beat the United States to win its first World Baseball Classic title. Venezuela defeated the U.S. 3-2 in the 2026 WBC final on March 18 (Korean time) at loanDepot park in Miami. Venezuela reached its first final by beating defending champion Japan 8-5 in the quarterfinals and Italy 4-2 in the semifinals. It then edged the U.S. to secure its first championship. The U.S., which lost the 2023 WBC final to Japan, finished runner-up again, falling by the same 3-2 score. The matchup drew attention as the “Maduro Derby.” The article said the U.S. removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in January and transported him to the United States. With political tensions between the two countries, the final attracted heightened interest. Venezuela struck first in the top of the first. With one out and runners on second and third, Maikel Garcia of Kansas City drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center. It added to the lead in the fifth when Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox hit a solo homer to make it 2-0. The U.S. tied it in the bottom of the eighth. Venezuela reliever Andres Machado of the Orix Buffaloes gave up a two-run homer to Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, evening the score at 2-2. Venezuela answered in the ninth. With no outs and a runner on second, Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds hit an RBI double to put Venezuela ahead 3-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Palencia of the Chicago Cubs closed it out. He struck out Kyle Schwarber of Philadelphia swinging, got Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles on an infield pop-up, and struck out Roman Anthony of Boston swinging to seal the win. Garcia was named tournament MVP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:04:23
  • Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea to use Ivory Coast, Austria friendlies as final World Cup audition
    Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea to use Ivory Coast, Austria friendlies as final World Cup audition With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America about three months away, competition inside Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea squad is intensifying. Hong has repeatedly stressed that the final roster is not set, setting up what amounts to a last-round audition for players seeking a World Cup place. South Korea (No. 22 in the FIFA rankings) will play Ivory Coast (No. 37) at 11 p.m. March 28 (Korea time) at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. The team then faces Austria (No. 24) at 3:45 a.m. April 1 at Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. The two-match European swing is South Korea’s final full-scale test before the World Cup roster is finalized. The opponents were chosen with group-stage preparation in mind: Ivory Coast as a tune-up for South Africa, South Korea’s third group opponent, and Austria as a stand-in for the winner of Europe’s playoff Group D, a potential first-match opponent. Group D currently includes Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland, with the team that will be placed into Group A to be decided through European playoffs later this month. Even so, Hong said the door is not completely closed for players who miss this camp. At a news conference March 16 at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, he said, “The final roster hasn’t been decided right now. I want to pick the players who show the best form in May and take them to the World Cup,” adding, “If they show good form in April and May, they can come back into the national team.” The fiercest battle is at wingback, the role responsible for both attack and defense on the flanks in Hong’s three-back system. Hong has been testing the setup as part of World Cup preparations, using it since the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship last July and in every A-match window since: a 2-0 win over the United States and a 2-2 draw with Mexico in September, a 5-0 loss to Brazil and a 2-0 win over Paraguay in October, and a 1-0 win over Ghana in November. In attack, South Korea kept three defenders back; in defense, it dropped into a five-man back line and looked to counterattack. Among the 27 players called in, wingback options include Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda), Jens Castrop (Borussia Moenchengladbach) and Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen). Lee Myung-jae, who had recently played as the team’s left wingback, was not selected because of injury. Yang is the standout returnee, back in the national team for the first time in about nine months since June. He has been in strong form for Celtic, scoring eight goals in 37 official matches this season. On March 15, he scored twice against Motherwell to lead a 3-1 league win. Yang’s appeal is versatility. A natural wide attacker, he has also played right wingback to meet his club’s tactical needs, pairing aggressive dribbling with improved defensive work. Hong called him an increasingly attractive option for a system that demands flexibility. “Yang Hyun-jun showed good things as a wingback under Celtic’s previous coaching staff,” Hong said. “His performance is much better than the last time he was called up. He’s scoring well, too.” Castrop’s role shift is another key storyline. Previously viewed mainly as a central midfielder for South Korea, he appears set to enter the wingback competition starting with this March window. He has started on both flanks as a wingback in Bundesliga matches for Borussia Moenchengladbach, with his work rate, physical play and willingness to join attacks seen as even more effective out wide. On using Castrop at wingback, Hong said, “Right now Castrop is playing wingback for his club. He isn’t playing full 90 minutes consistently, but he’s playing more than 60 minutes. He isn’t training as a central midfielder, so it’s a situation worth testing (him at wingback).” In midfield, injuries to established players are forcing broader experimentation in the two friendlies. Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) suffered a season-ending knee cruciate ligament injury, and Won Du-jae (Khor Fakkan) is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Key midfielder Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) has also become uncertain to join the squad, increasing the urgency to find new combinations. Candidates for new midfield pairings include Hong Hyun-seok (Gent), recalled after about 16 months, and Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC), selected as a midfielder after previously being categorized as a defender. “We needed an attacking midfielder. Hong Hyun-seok can play central midfield and also as a wide attacker,” Hong said. “Park Jin-seop, after his transfer, has been playing as a defensive midfielder in a system that uses two midfielders. He should be able to adapt well to the national team’s tactics.” Kwon Hyuk-kyu (Karlsruhe) is also in the mix for the defensive midfield role. Hong pointed to the 191-centimeter player’s physical profile and defensive value, saying, “We don’t have many tall players on the national team. When we’re leading and the opponent tries long balls, we don’t have a player to deal with it. I expect that kind of defensive role from Kwon Hyuk-kyu.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 16:15:20
  • BTS Comeback Concert Spurs ARMY ‘Pilgrimage’ Tours Across Seoul and Beyond
    BTS Comeback Concert Spurs ARMY ‘Pilgrimage’ Tours Across Seoul and Beyond As BTS’ “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 approaches, fans from the global ARMY fandom are increasingly traveling to South Korea. Online communities and social media are rapidly sharing “pilgrimage” routes that trace the group’s footsteps, prompting domestic tourism platforms and local governments to roll out fan-focused itineraries. On Reddit, one of the largest English-language online communities, a five-day map titled “ARMY Seoul Guide” has drawn attention by listing BTS-related locations across the capital. On social media, more fans are posting about their trips under the hashtag “BTS Pilgrimage.” A top stop for many visitors is HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan, where fans routinely take photos and post them online. Major heritage sites are also central to many itineraries, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, which drew global notice in 2020 when BTS performed there in hanbok on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Nearby palaces — Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung — are also popular. The National Museum of Korea is another frequent destination, known among fans as a place associated with leader RM, who is known for visiting exhibitions. The museum plans to offer a special product at its shop in collaboration with the National Museum Foundation of Korea to mark the group’s new release. Seoul Forest, a large park in the city, has also become a must-visit as fans have created bench gardens named for members, including “RM Forest,” “SUGA Forest” and, more recently, “j-hope Forest,” set up to mark j-hope’s military discharge. With more fans arriving, searches for BTS-related travel products have surged. Travel platform Klook said searches for BTS travel products rose 61% in January–February 2026 compared with November–December 2025. Klook is selling tailored packages including a Pyeongchang tour of “In the SOOP” filming locations, a Gangneung Jumunjin tour tied to the jacket shoot for the group’s 2017 second album, and a Seoul ARMY walking tour. Local governments are also moving to capture what they call a “BTS tourism boom.” Pohang, in North Gyeongsang Province, is promoting stay-type tourism built around mulhoe mentioned by member Jin and a local cafe known as a filming site for the “Spring Day” music video. The city plans to link travel routes to Pohang with messages such as “a Pohang trip after the concert.” Seoul plans BTS-related events for foreign visitors, including ARMY, during the “2026 Seoul Spring Festa,” set for April 10 across 11 areas along the Han River, including Yeouido, Ttukseom, Banpo and Nanji. The city also plans street performances, a random dance festival and participatory events at major sites for fans from around the world. Yoon Hye-jin, a professor in the Department of Tourism Development and Management at Kyonggi University, said K-content fandoms are a core tourism segment with strong spending power. She urged officials to systematize “pilgrimage” content to maximize tourism synergy, adding that local governments should foster a culture in which fandoms and regions resonate and design detailed, customized products that reflect each fandom’s characteristics.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-17 06:04:26
  • Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae named to South Korea squad for March friendlies
    Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae named to South Korea squad for March friendlies South Korea will take a full-strength squad on a European trip for two March A-match friendlies, its final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. Coach Hong Myung-bo announced the call-ups on March 16 at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. No. 22 South Korea will play No. 37 Ivory Coast at 11 p.m. March 28 (Korea time) at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. It will then face No. 24 Austria at 3:45 a.m. April 1 at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. Ivory Coast was selected as preparation for South Africa, South Korea’s third group-stage opponent in Group A. Austria is positioned as a stand-in for the winner of UEFA playoff Group D, which includes Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland. The team that will join Group A will be decided through the European playoffs later this month. With the trip serving as the last rehearsal before the World Cup begins in June, Hong called in his key overseas-based players, including captain Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers). Hong also selected striker Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), winger Yang Hyeon-jun (Celtic) and central defender Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), citing their steady club minutes and form. Midfielder Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), who was injured in a club match earlier March 16, was included for now. The national team said it will assess his condition before making a final decision on his call-up.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 18:00:00
  • Cameron Young Wins PGA Tour Players Championship
    Cameron Young Wins PGA Tour Players Championship Cameron Young of the United States won the PGA Tour Players Championship, often called the “fifth major,” with a total purse of $25 million. Young shot a 4-under 68 in the final round Monday (Korean time) at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course (par 72) in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, making five birdies and one bogey. He finished at 13-under 275, edging Matt Fitzpatrick of England by one stroke. Young, the 2021-2022 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, earned his second tour title seven months after his first victory at the Wyndham Championship in August last year. He took home $4.5 million (about 6.74 billion won). Before winning at Wyndham, Young had seven runner-up finishes in 93 PGA Tour starts. That total was the most since 1983 among players without a win. He had shown strong form in recent weeks, tying for seventh at the Genesis Invitational and tying for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before closing out the win at Sawgrass. Defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland finished tied for 46th at even-par 288. Si Woo Kim, the only South Korean player to make the cut, ended tied for 50th at 1-over 289.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 17:24:00
  • Short track: Kim Gil-li, Lim Jong-eon win first career world championship doubles
    Short track: Kim Gil-li, Lim Jong-eon win first career world championship doubles Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall) and Lim Jong-eon (Goyang City Hall) each captured their first career two-gold haul at the 2026 International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track World Championships. Kim won the women’s 1,500 meters final on March 16 (Korean time) at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, finishing in 2:31.003. She beat Sandra Velzeboer of the Netherlands (2:31.298) and Corinne Stoddard of the United States (2:31.386). After taking gold in the 1,000 meters a day earlier, Kim completed a double. The reigning champion in the 1,500, she also repeated in the event for her first world championships two-title performance. Lim led the men’s side, winning the 1,000 meters final in 1:25.805 ahead of Jens van ’t Wout of the Netherlands (1:26.315) and Niall Treacy of Britain (1:26.660). Lim, who also won the 1,500 meters final a day earlier, added the 1,000 to secure his first world championships double. Both skaters also raced in relays but missed the podium. In the mixed relay final, Kim, skating second, collided and fell after contact stemming from a foul by a Dutch skater, and South Korea finished fourth. In the men’s 5,000 relay final, Lim teamed with Lee Jeong-min (Seongnam City Hall), Hwang Dae-heon (Gangwon Provincial Office) and Shin Dong-min (Hwaseong City Hall). South Korea crossed the line first but was disqualified and did not medal. After video review, officials ruled that Lee moved sharply from the outside to the inside before the finish and impeded a Canadian skater, and assessed a penalty to South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 17:12:00
  • Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area buzzes ahead of BTS comeback show, with up to 260,000 expected
    Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area buzzes ahead of BTS comeback show, with up to 260,000 expected SEOUL — With BTS set to perform “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul is already seeing a surge of activity ahead of the show. The Gwanghwamun area has been crowded with multinational fans who have traveled to South Korea for the concert. Many can be seen wearing purple items associated with BTS’ fan club, ARMY, or carrying official merchandise. Fans have also gathered at large outdoor screens downtown to watch BTS videos and take commemorative photos. Visitors have also been streaming to major Seoul attractions linked to the group, including nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace, where BTS previously staged a special performance, and other sites associated with the members. An influx of K-pop fans from around the world is expected to intensify starting March 16, with the number of visitors to the Gwanghwamun area projected to rise further. Organizers expect as many as 260,000 people to gather on the day of the concert.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 06:04:06
  • Lee Tae-hoon Misses 1-Meter Par Putt, Loses LIV Golf Singapore Playoff to DeChambeau
    Lee Tae-hoon Misses 1-Meter Par Putt, Loses LIV Golf Singapore Playoff to DeChambeau Lee Tae-hoon, a Canadian of Korean descent, narrowly missed his first LIV Golf title, settling for second after a playoff loss in Singapore. Lee shot a 5-under 66 in the final round of LIV Golf Singapore on March 15 at Sentosa Golf Club (par 71). He finished at 14-under 270 and forced a playoff with Bryson DeChambeau of the United States. The playoff ended on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th. Lee had a chance to win but missed a birdie putt of about 8 meters. DeChambeau made par, and Lee then missed a 1-meter par putt, handing DeChambeau the trophy. Lee, who joined LIV Golf this year, earned $2.25 million (about 3.37 billion won) for second place — more than his career prize money on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association Tour, which stands at 2.58 billion won. DeChambeau collected $4 million (about 6 billion won) and claimed his fourth LIV Golf victory, his first in about 10 months since the LIV Golf Korea event in May last year. Also in the field, Song Young-han of the Korean Golf Club finished tied for 39th at 1-over 285. An Byeong-hun tied for 42nd at 2-over 286, Danny Lee of New Zealand tied for 47th at 3-over 287, and Kim Min-gyu was last in 57th at 25-over 309.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 18:27:00
  • Lim Jin-young wins first KLPGA title at 2026 season opener in Thailand
    Lim Jin-young wins first KLPGA title at 2026 season opener in Thailand Lim Jin-young won the 2026 season-opening event on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, claiming her first career title in her 91st start. Lim closed Sunday with a bogey-free 7-under 65, making seven birdies in the final round of the Rejuran Championship at Amata Spring Country Club (par 72) in Chonburi, Thailand. The tournament purse was 1.2 billion won. She finished at 15-under 273, edging Lee Ye-won (14-under 274) by one shot. Lim earned 216 million won in prize money. The tournament turned on the par-3 17th, an island green surrounded by water. Lim holed a birdie putt of about 3.5 meters to move into a one-shot lead, while Lee missed a 3.9-meter birdie attempt. Lim then calmly saved par on the 18th to post her score. Lee also made par on the final hole, sealing Lim’s victory. “I can’t believe I won. It feels like a dream,” Lim said in a postround broadcast interview, tearing up. “I came to Thailand alone. I think my mom and dad, and everyone who supports me, will be just as happy as I am right now. Mom, Dad, I truly love you.” Lim, who debuted on the regular tour in 2022, lost her tour card in 2023 and returned in 2024. Her previous best finish was a solo second at the Deokshin EPC Championship in April last year. “I set a goal of two wins this season, and I got the first one,” she said. “I want to build on this and do well in the remaining tournaments.” Last season’s money leader Hong Jung-min finished tied for third at 12-under 276 with Kim Si-hyun, Jeon Ye-seong and others. Player of the Year Yoo Hyun-jo placed tied for 37th at 4-under 284.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 17:57:00
  • Japan Upset by Venezuela, Eliminated in WBC Quarterfinals for First Time
    Japan Upset by Venezuela, Eliminated in WBC Quarterfinals for First Time 'Defending champion' Japan was knocked out of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in a surprise quarterfinal loss. Japan fell 8-5 to Venezuela on March 15 (Korea time) at loanDepot park in Miami. Japan, the 2023 WBC champion, saw its tournament end in the quarterfinals. It was the first time Japan has been eliminated at this stage in WBC history, after winning the title three times (2006, 2009 and 2023). Venezuela tagged Japan for 10 hits, including three home runs. A go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning proved decisive. With the win, Venezuela reached the WBC semifinals for the first time since 2009, when it lost 10-2 to South Korea. Venezuela will play Italy on March 17 at the same venue. Italy advanced to the WBC semifinals for the first time; its previous best finish was a quarterfinal appearance in 2023. Italy beat Puerto Rico 8-6 in a quarterfinal at Daikin Park in Houston. On the other side of the bracket, the Dominican Republic, which routed South Korea 10-0, will meet the United States, which edged Canada 5-3, on March 16 for a place in the final.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 15:24:00