Journalist

Kang Sang-heon
  • 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
  • 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