Journalist

Kang Sang-heon
  • Kim Gil-li, Lim Jong-eon win gold at ISU Short Track World Championships
    Kim Gil-li, Lim Jong-eon win gold at ISU Short Track World Championships Kim Gil-li of Seongnam City Hall and Lim Jong-eon of Goyang City Hall won gold medals at the 2026 International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track World Championships. Kim won the women’s 1,000-meter final in 1:28.843 at Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada, on March 15 (Korea time). She sealed the title with a late comeback. Skating patiently until the closing laps, Kim moved to third with two laps left by going to the outside, then passed out of the final corner and stretched her left foot at the line. She beat runner-up Sandra Felzebur of the Netherlands (1:28.852) by 0.009 seconds. Also in the women’s 1,000, Shim Suk-hee of Seoul City Hall finished fourth in her semifinal heat. Lee So-yeon of Sports Toto was eliminated in the quarterfinals. In the men’s 1,500-meter final, Lim delivered a late rally to win in 2:14.974. With three laps remaining, Lim was running third when the leaders jostled in a corner. He moved to the outside, took the lead and held on to cross first. In the men’s 1,500, Shin Dong-min of Hwaseong City Hall and Hwang Dae-heon of Gangwon Province Office were eliminated in the semifinals.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-15 10:57:00
  • South Korea to Face Dominican Republic in WBC Quarterfinal in Miami
    South Korea to Face Dominican Republic in WBC Quarterfinal in Miami South Korea has reached the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals for the first time since 2009 and will face the Dominican Republic in a winner-take-all matchup. The South Korean national team, managed by Ryu Ji-hyun, will play the Dominican Republic at 7:30 a.m. (Korea time) on March 14 at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. South Korea advanced by finishing second in Pool C in Tokyo. It is the first time the team has made it out of the group stage since its runner-up finish in 2009. South Korea opened pool play with a rout of the Czech Republic but then lost to Japan and Taiwan, putting its tournament hopes in jeopardy. In its final pool game against Australia on March 9, it needed a win by at least five runs while allowing no more than two. The players kept fighting and secured a quarterfinal berth. The Dominican Republic went 4-0 in Pool D, beating Nicaragua 12-3, the Netherlands 12-1, Israel 10-1 and Venezuela 7-5. The Dominican Republic is widely viewed as the stronger team on paper, with a lineup packed with Major League Baseball All-Star-caliber talent. Its offense has been especially productive, scoring 41 runs in four games, more than 10 per game. The roster includes Juan Soto (New York Mets), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays), Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado (both San Diego Padres). The pitching staff is also deep, led by Cristopher Sanchez (Philadelphia Phillies), who has won at least 10 games in each of the past two MLB seasons; Brayan Bello (Boston Red Sox), who has posted double-digit wins in each of the past three seasons; and Camilo Doval (New York Yankees), who led the National League in saves in 2023. All quarterfinal matchups have been set. If South Korea beats the Dominican Republic, it will meet the winner of Italy (Pool B winner) vs. Puerto Rico (Pool A runner-up) for a spot in the final. Japan (Pool C winner) will face Venezuela (Pool D runner-up) in the quarterfinals. The winner will play the winner of Canada (Pool A winner) vs. the United States (Pool B runner-up) in the semifinals.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-12 15:24:00
  • KLPGA Tour Opens 2026 Season With Record 34.7 Billion Won Purse and No Clear Favorite
    KLPGA Tour Opens 2026 Season With Record 34.7 Billion Won Purse and No Clear Favorite The 2026 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association tour begins an eight-month run this week, with attention on whether another wide-open season will unfold without a dominant player. The KLPGA schedule starts with an opening event in Thailand on March 12 and runs through November, with 31 tournaments. Total prize money is 34.7 billion won, up about 100 million won from last season. Four new events with purses of at least 1 billion won were added, pushing the average purse to 1.12 billion won, the tour said. The season opener is the Rejuran Championship, played March 12-15 at Amata Springs Country Club (par 72) in Chonburi, Thailand. Its 1.2 billion won purse is the largest in KLPGA Tour history. The 120-player field includes the top 90 on the 2026 KLPGA regular tour eligibility list, 23 players drawn from the 2025 THAI LPGA money list and overseas entrants, and seven sponsor invites. ◆A deeper field fuels a wide-open race In past years, the tour had clear standouts, including Chun In-gee in 2015 (five wins), Park Sung-hyun in 2016 (seven), Choi Hye-jin in 2019 (five), and Park Min-ji in 2021 and 2022 (six each). Recently, however, the tour has lacked a single dominant force. Last season produced 22 winners across 31 events. Lee Ye-won, Bang Shin-sil and Hong Jeong-min shared the wins lead with three each, while Kim Min-sol and Ko Ji-won won twice. Hong finished as the money leader and Yoo Hyun-jo won the season points title. A similar pattern played out in 2024, when Lee, Park Hyun-kyung, Park Ji-young, Bae So-hyun and Ma Da-som each won three times to share the wins crown. The tour has attributed the parity to overall improvements in player performance, driven by more systematic physical training, longer average driving distance, and wider use of data for swing work and course strategy. Rookies have also contended immediately, shrinking what once was considered an adjustment period. ◆Season opener offers early test; floating green looms as key variable The opening event is expected to offer an early read on the season, as players put offseason swing work and conditioning to the test. With last season’s top performers in the field, another tightly contested year is expected to begin immediately. Hong, who won three times last season, held on to finish No. 1 on the money list for her first career money title and is seeking a second straight. “I’m excited for the 2026 season opener after waiting for it,” she said. “I trained hard focusing on my swing and rhythm during winter training, so I also want to be the inaugural champion.” She added that because the course is hosting the event for the first time, she will focus on understanding the grass and layout. Yoo recorded 19 top-10 finishes last season and won the season points title with steady play. After focusing on short game and fitness in the offseason, she said, “It’s the first tournament of the season and the invitational event of a new sponsor, so I really want to do well.” She added, “It’s right after winter training, so my feel for competition may be off. Rather than the result, I’ll focus on the process and do my best every moment.” Noh Seung-hee, who finished second on the money list and fourth in points last year, is also among the leading contenders. She joined the Rejuran golf team this year, adding motivation to win the title sponsor’s event. Seo Gyo-rim, the 2025 rookie of the year, said she is targeting a strong start. “I’m really excited and looking forward to playing the season opener,” she said. “It’s important to button the first one well and build good momentum. I prepared hard in the offseason, so I’ll play with confidence.” A major variable is the par-3 17th at Amata Springs, where the green floats in the middle of a lake. The tour described it as one of only two “floating greens” in the world. Unlike a typical island green connected to land, it is completely surrounded by water, and players must take a dedicated boat to reach the putting surface after teeing off. Players who competed there at the 2023 DP World Tour Thailand Classic cited the 17th as the toughest hole. Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat said, “You have to put all your focus into simply hitting the middle of the green without going into the water.” Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello said, “The 17th hole was really tricky and the wind was strong.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 15:36:00
  • Inbee Park Tells Korea’s National Team Golfers: Confidence Is Good, Arrogance Isn’t
    Inbee Park Tells Korea’s National Team Golfers: Confidence Is Good, Arrogance Isn’t Korean golf star Inbee Park met with younger players on the national team and national reserve squad and offered practical advice, urging them not to become complacent. The Korea Golf Association said it held a call-up training program for the 2026 national team and reserve squad from March 7-8 at the Berlin Hall on the fourth floor of Seoul Olympic Parktel. Park, who serves as an International Golf Federation board member and executive committee member, attended. Park, a seven-time major champion with 21 LPGA Tour victories, also won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Reflecting on her career, Park told the players they should keep confidence in check. He said, “You can’t be arrogant. Up until I turned pro, I felt like I wouldn’t lose to anyone. But when I got to the pro stage, all the best players from around the world were there.” She added, “Confidence is good, but I thought, ‘I shouldn’t be arrogant.’ You may be the best here, but you may not be outside.” Park also stressed the importance of embracing setbacks. “You shouldn’t be afraid of failure. I hope you pour everything you can into it,” she said. “Challenge yourself until there’s nothing left you want to try, and learn through failure.” The KGA said the first day of training covered mindset and mental preparation, operating rules and the KGA ranking system, media training, sports human rights education, anti-doping education, golf rules and a session titled “Players who keep shining because they are happy.” On the second day, the program included golf training, a biomechanics approach to the golf swing, drug misuse and intake, self-directed injury care, and guidance on putter fitting and selection. The 2026 national team and reserve squad were selected through the KGA ranking system. The national team includes six men and six women, and the reserve squad includes 10 men and 10 women. The men’s national team is Kang Seung-gu (Namseong High School, 2nd year), Kim Min-su (Howon High School Affiliated Broadcast and Correspondence High School, 3rd year), Park Geon-ung (Korea National Sport University, 1st year), Son Jae-i (Dongnae High School Affiliated Broadcast and Correspondence High School, 1st year), Ahn Hae-cheon (Korea National Sport University, 2nd year) and Yoo Min-hyeok (Seogang High School, 3rd year). The women’s national team is Koo Min-ji (Korea National Sport University, 1st year), Kim Gyu-bin (Haksan Girls’ High School, 2nd year), Park Seo-jin (Seomun Girls’ High School, 3rd year), Yang Yun-seo (Incheon Girls’ High School Affiliated Broadcast and Correspondence High School, 3rd year), Oh Su-min (Shinseong High School, 3rd year) and Yoon Gyu-ri (Haksan Girls’ High School, 1st year). The season begins with the 4th Imsil Cheese Cup Amateur Golf Championship, to be held for four days from April 7-10 at Jeonju Shangri-La Country Club in Imsil County, North Jeolla Province.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 17:52:41
  • South Korea Reaches WBC Quarterfinals for First Time Since 2009 After Beating Australia
    South Korea Reaches WBC Quarterfinals for First Time Since 2009 After Beating Australia South Korea advanced to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals for the first time since its 2009 runner-up finish, breaking a three-tournament streak of group-stage exits. Ryu Ji-hyeon’s team beat Australia 7-2 on March 9 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo in Pool C play. South Korea finished 2-2, tied with Taiwan and Australia, but claimed second place behind Japan (3-1) on the tournament’s minimum runs-allowed rate tiebreaker. The stakes were clear: South Korea needed to win by at least five runs and allow no more than two. It did both. Moon Bo-kyung of the LG Twins set the tone. Batting fifth as the designated hitter, he hit a two-run homer in the second inning with a runner on and the game scoreless. He later delivered RBI singles in the third (with one out and a runner on second) and fifth (two outs, runner on second), finishing 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Moon ended the group stage batting .538 with two homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.779 OPS. He matched the South Korean single-tournament WBC RBI record of 11 set by Kim Tae-kyun in 2009. Defense also mattered. In the bottom of the ninth, with South Korea leading 7-2 and one out with a runner on first, Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants sprinted and made a sliding catch on a ball that could have led to a run and threatened South Korea’s advancement scenario. ESPN said Lee’s ninth-inning catch created a defining moment, adding that if the ball had dropped and Australia had scored, Australia would have advanced to the quarterfinals. On the mound, South Korea had to adjust early. Starter Son Ju-young of LG worked a scoreless first inning but left after reporting sudden elbow pain, forcing a bullpen game from the second inning. Veteran right-hander Noh Kyung-eun, born in 1984, was summoned and delivered two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. He mixed a changeup, fastball, cutter, curve, slider and sinker to keep Australia in check. “Today’s MVP is Noh Kyung-eun,” Ryu told reporters after the game. “In an unprepared situation, he gave us two innings. I want to say I respect him.” Reliever Jo Byeong-hyeon of the SSG Landers closed it out under heavy pressure. He entered in the eighth with one out and a runner on first and South Korea leading 6-2, with three more runs allowed meaning elimination. Jo finished the eighth without damage and returned for the ninth, striking out the first batter, issuing a walk, then recording two flyouts to preserve the two-run-allowed requirement. South Korea will play the Pool D winner in the quarterfinals at 7:30 a.m. March 14 (Korea time). In Pool D, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela were tied atop the standings with three wins each.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 16:24:42
  • Volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung named Asian winner of IOCs annual award
    Volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung named Asian winner of IOC's annual award SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - Volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung has been named one of the recipients of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) annual awards, which recognize efforts to promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in sport, along with winners from other continents. The Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions awards are presented annually across continents with one at the world level and one each for Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to "gender equality, diversity and inclusion in and through sport across the areas of participation, leadership, safe sport, portrayal and resource allocation." According to the IOC, Kim was chosen as the winner in the Asia region in recognition of her efforts, even after retiring as a professional player, to expand women's participation in sports, strengthen leadership, and promote a safe and fair sporting environment. The IOC said the former captain of South Korea's national volleyball team has continued to "advance gender equality and athlete welfare through her leadership off the court," while working to "expand opportunities for girls and young women in sport by addressing financial and structural barriers to participation." "Through mentoring, athlete advocacy and public engagement, also supports leadership development for women in sport and promotes safe, fair and inclusive sporting environments," it added. During her career, Kim helped elevate South Korea's standing in women's volleyball and grow public interest in the sport, participating in three Olympics — London in 2012, Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020. Since retiring, Kim has established a foundation to nurture prospective athletes through scholarships, equipment support, youth clinics, and other training programs. "It is very meaningful that Kim's dedication and achievements have been recognized internationally," said Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. Meanwhile, former captain of India's men's national volleyball team Abhijit Bhattacharya was named the global winner in recognition of his large-scale, inclusive grassroots sports program for children. 2026-03-10 16:13:48
  • Volleyball Star Kim Yeon-koung Wins IOC GEDI Champions Award for Asia
    Volleyball Star Kim Yeon-koung Wins IOC GEDI Champions Award for Asia The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee said March 10 that volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung has been named the Asia regional winner of the International Olympic Committee’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Awards, known as the IOC GEDI Champions Awards. The award recognizes individuals who help spread the values of gender equality, diversity and inclusion through sport. Winners are selected to represent the world and each continent. The committee said Kim was honored for continuing efforts after retiring as a player to expand women’s participation in sport, strengthen leadership and promote a safe and fair sports environment. During her playing career, Kim helped raise South Korea’s international competitiveness in women’s volleyball and broaden public interest in women’s sports. She was named most valuable player at the 2012 London Olympics and competed in three Olympics — London in 2012, Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020 — with sustained results on the global stage. After retiring, Kim founded the KYK Foundation in 2024 to more systematically support youth athletes and expand sports participation, the committee said. The foundation runs scholarship and training-support programs for young athletes who struggle to continue due to financial constraints, with a focus on reducing barriers faced by girls and helping them stay in sport. It also works to widen opportunities for young athletes and support local sports by hosting a nationwide middle school volleyball tournament, providing equipment to school volleyball teams and operating youth clinics, the committee said. Kim has also taken part in efforts to help women athletes continue their careers and move into leadership roles. Through the broadcast program “Rookie Coach Kim Yeon-koung,” she has provided coaching and mentoring to women athletes who retired or left their teams and supported transitions into coaching and other sports-related fields, the committee said. She has also participated in international sports activities, including serving as an ambassador for the International Volleyball Federation and as a promotional ambassador for the World Anti-Doping Agency’s general assembly, emphasizing athlete education, fair competition and safe sports environments, the committee said. Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min said, “This award to Chairwoman Kim Yeon-koung is a meaningful achievement that shows international recognition of her work to put the values of gender equality and inclusion into practice through sport.” He added, “We plan to continue various efforts so that sport can function as a platform to spread social values.” 2026-03-10 14:24:00
  • BTS’ Jin Songs Played at WBC and Winter Olympics Venues
    BTS’ Jin Songs Played at WBC and Winter Olympics Venues BTS member Jin’s solo music has again been featured at major international sports events, underscoring his global reach. At the 2026 World Baseball Classic game between South Korea and Taiwan on March 8 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, Jin’s “Running Wild,” the title track from his first solo album “Happy,” was played in the stadium. His clear vocals and band-driven sound blended with the crowd’s cheers and lifted the atmosphere, the report said. It was not the first time “Running Wild” has been used in a high-profile sports broadcast. The song drew attention after it was included in a CBS prime-time telecast of an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions in December 2024. The track, released in November 2024, surpassed 1.7 million TikTok posts using it within 10 days, ranking second among Korean male solo songs in usage after Shaun’s “Way Back Home,” according to the report. Jin’s voice was also heard at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, which ended last month. After major figure skating events — the pairs free skate on Feb. 9, the men’s singles short program on Feb. 11 and the women’s singles short program on Feb. 18 — “Don’t Say You Love Me,” the title track from his second mini-album “Echo,” played in the venue, the report said. Released in May last year, “Don’t Say You Love Me” topped Spotify’s global chart on May 25, 2025, making Jin the first Asian artist to reach No. 1 on the platform’s global chart with a song released in 2025, the report said. Jin also drew attention during the Paris Summer Olympics in July 2024 when he took part as a torchbearer. French weekly magazine Paris Match described him holding the torch in front of the Louvre Museum and praised him as “a true prince crowned 235 years after the French Revolution.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 09:00:42
  • South Korea beats Australia to reach WBC quarterfinals for first time in 17 years
    South Korea beats Australia to reach WBC quarterfinals for first time in 17 years South Korea advanced to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, beating Australia 7-2 on March 9 at Tokyo Dome in Japan. The team managed by Ryu Ji-hyun finished 2-2 in Pool C. South Korea, Taiwan and Australia ended tied, but South Korea moved on as the pool’s No. 2 team behind Japan (3-1) on the tiebreaker of lowest runs allowed. It is South Korea’s first trip out of the WBC group stage since its runner-up finish in 2009. South Korea entered the game needing a win by at least five runs while allowing no more than two, and it met both conditions. The team will fly to Miami on the night of March 10 on a chartered plane. The quarterfinal is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. March 14 (Korean time) against the Pool D winner. In Pool D, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela each have two wins. South Korea struck first in the second inning when Moon Bo-gyeong of the LG Twins hit a two-run homer. In the third, Jahmai Jones of the Detroit Tigers, Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants and Moon hit consecutive doubles, driving in two more runs for a 4-0 lead. Moon delivered again in the fifth with an RBI single to make it 5-0. Australia got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when So Hyeong-jun of the KT Wiz gave up a solo homer to Robbie Glendinning, cutting it to 5-1. South Korea answered in the sixth on an RBI hit by Kim Do-yeong of the KIA Tigers to restore a five-run cushion at 6-1. Australia scored again in the eighth, tightening the margin and leaving South Korea needing an insurance run in the ninth to keep the required five-run gap. In the ninth, Kim drew a walk and a throwing error by the shortstop on a ball hit by Lee put runners at first and third with one out. Ahn Hyeon-min of the KT Wiz followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead back to five runs. In the bottom of the ninth, reliever Jo Byeong-hyeon of the SSG Landers recorded the final out on an infield fly, sealing South Korea’s quarterfinal berth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 22:42:00
  • LIV Golf Korea 2026 to be held May 28-31 at Busan’s Asiad CC
    LIV Golf Korea 2026 to be held May 28-31 at Busan’s Asiad CC LIV Golf said Monday it will stage “LIV Golf Korea 2026” from May 28-31 at Asiad CC in Busan. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf launched in 2022 and held LIV Golf Korea for the first time last year at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon. The event drew about 35,000 spectators over three days, organizers said. This year’s tournament will move to Busan under a multiyear agreement with Asiad CC. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil called the return to South Korea and the Busan venue “an important step” for the league and Korean fans. “Interest in LIV Golf continues to grow,” O’Neil said, adding that Asiad CC and Busan meet the league’s vision “both competitively and culturally.” He said he hopes to deliver another memorable week for Korean fans after last season’s successful debut. Korean GC, a team formed this season, is also set to play in South Korea for the first time. The all-Korean roster is led by captain An Byeong-hun and includes Kim Min-gyu, Song Young-han and Danny Lee. The team has signed partnerships including the Hanwha Financial Group co-brand Plus and golfwear brand Amazingcre, the league said. “Having LIV Golf held in Korea means a great deal to all of us,” An said. “Competing in our home country and in front of Korean fans gives us a special sense of pride.” He said he is glad the team can represent Korean golf worldwide and hopes to show Korean GC’s “energy, passion and competitiveness.” Organizers said the event will again pair golf with entertainment. Last year’s tournament drew attention with performances by top artists including G-Dragon and IVE. Details of this year’s concert and entertainment programs will be announced later. Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon said it is meaningful that LIV Golf is returning to South Korea and holding the May event in Busan. Hosting a global sports event of this scale in the city reflects Busan’s rising profile as an international hub for sports, culture and tourism, he said, adding that he hopes to welcome world-class players and golf fans and showcase the city’s appeal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 17:55:18