[Photo News] From Gwanghwamun to Han River on foot

About 15,000 people took to the streets of Seoul to participate in a 7.6-kilometer walk traversing the city, on Sunday, the last day of September, which saw clear skies. The walk began at 8 a.m., from Gwanghwamun Square to Banpo Hangang Park. Sections of roads were closed off from as early as 7 a.m. to as late as 11:30 a.m. to make way for the event’s participants.The event invited 10,000 walkers, 4,800 cyclists and 200 users of personal mobility devices to sign up online on a first come, first

Sept. 30, 2018

Koreas to discuss joint gymnastics team for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

South and North Korea's artistic gymnastics officials plan to meet at the upcoming world championships to discuss fielding a joint team at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Seoul's gymnastics body said Thursday. The Korea Gymnastics Association said its officials will meet North Koreans at the 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships to talk about the unified Korean gymnastics team at the Tokyo Olympics. The 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships will be held in Doha from Oct. 25 to Nov.

Sept. 27, 2018

Koreas looking to form joint teams in table tennis, swimming at Asian Para Games

ICHEON -- South and North Korea are looking to form joint teams in table tennis and swimming at the Asian Para Games next month, Seoul's para sports chief said Wednesday. "We're planning to have a joint Korean teams in table tennis and swimming," said Korea Paralympic Commitee chief Lee Myung-ho. "We've discussed this issue with North Korea. It will be finalized once the Asian Paralympic Committee decides on entries."Lee added that the Koreas also agreed to have a joint parade at the opening cer

Sept. 19, 2018

Taekwondo fighter to sit out int'l competition after drunk driving incident

South Korean taekwondo fighter Lee Ah-reum has decided not to take part in an upcoming international competition following an incident in which she was caught driving while intoxicated, the Korea Taekwondo Association said Monday.KTA said Lee will not participate in the 2018 World Taekwondo 3rd Grand Prix in Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, which will be held from Wednesday to Friday.  (Yonhap)KTA previously included Lee on the 15-member roster and allowed her to compete in the 57-kilogram division. But

Sept. 17, 2018

World Taekwondo Headquarters chief offers to resign over corruption scandals

The head of World Taekwondo Headquarters, also known as Kukkiwon, has offered to resign over a string of corruption scandals. Oh Hyun-deuk posted a statement on the Kukkiwon website on Thursday saying that he will step down from the post. Oh has been under police investigation since last year for breach of trust, embezzlement and irregularities in the employee recruitment process. In addition, a local investigative journalism television program recently raised allegations of sexual harassment an

Sept. 14, 2018

Controversy looms over taekwondo fighter after drunk driving

South Korean taekwondo fighter Lee Ah-reum's participation in an upcoming international competition is drawing controversy here following an incident in which she was caught driving while intoxicated. Korea Taekwondo Association on Friday announced a 15-member roster for the 2018 World Taekwondo 3rd Grand Prix that will be held in Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, from next Wednesday to Friday.According to the KTA, Lee will represent the country in the women's 57-kilogram division. The 26-year-old is one

Sept. 14, 2018

S. Korea to propose co-hosting 2032 Olympics with NK: sports minister

TOKYO -- South Korea is considering making a proposal to North Korea to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics Games, Seoul’s sports minister said Wednesday. Do Jong-hwan said South Korea is thinking of co-hosting the Olympics with North Korea for regional peace. Do made the remarks during a press meeting in Tokyo ahead of a sports ministers meeting with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts. “It’s a proposal of hosting the events in Seoul and Pyongyang,” Do said, adding that such matters could be dis

Sept. 12, 2018

Speedskater Viktor Ahn dismisses rumors about post-retirement plan

South Korea-born Russian short-track speedskater Victor Ahn uploaded on his Instagram account Monday a handwritten letter confirming his retirement. However, he dismissed rumors surrounding his return to Korea.(Yonhap)“I have decided on my retirement earlier than I intended,” Ahn wrote in his letter. “I turned down the offer to coach the Russian national team because I had longed to continue as an athlete, rather than a coach.”He revealed that he has no clear plans regarding his career for now.

Sept. 11, 2018

Naomi Osaka wins US Open after Serena 'umpire thief' meltdown

Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam singles title on Saturday as her idol Serena Williams angrily imploded, calling the chair umpire in the US Open final "a thief".Osaka, 20, triumphed 6-2, 6-4 in the match marred by Williams's second set outburst, the American enraged by umpire Carlos Ramos's warning for receiving coaching from her box. (AP)When a second code violation for racquet abuse was handed out to her -- along with a point penalty -- Williams exploded.She tearfully

Sept. 9, 2018

N. Korea wins 1st medal at shooting world championship in S. Korea

North Korea captured its first medal at the ongoing shooting world championship in South Korea on Thursday.North Korea earned bronze in the men's 50-meter running target mixed event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship at Changwon International Shooting Centre in Changwon, 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (From left) Kwon Kwang-il, Jo Yong-chol and Pak Myong-won (Yonhap)The trio of Pak Myong-won, Jo Yong-chol and Kwon Kwang-il scored a combined 1,163 points,

Sept. 6, 2018

No unified Korean team at dragon boat worlds due to visa issues: report

Dragon boat paddlers from the two Koreas will not be able to form a joint team at the upcoming world championships in the United States because North Korean athletes haven't been granted visas, a report said Wednesday.Citing officials at the International Canoe Federation, Radio Free Asia said the unified Korean team will not be a part of the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in Gainesville, Georgia, starting on Sept. 13. (Yonhap)The Koreas assembled combined teams in men's and women's dragon

Sept. 5, 2018

Godfather of Korean pro wrestling loses battle with cancer

Lee Wang-pyo, who was viewed as the godfather of South Korea's pro wrestling, died Tuesday after a battle against gallbladder cancer. He was 64. Lee, who headed the Korean Pro Wrestling Association, died at 9:48 a.m., its officials said. (Yonhap)Lee, who was the top pupil of "head-butt master" late Kim Il, made his pro wrestling debut in 1975 and rose in the scene after winning the heavyweight championship belt at the World Wrestling Association. When the popularity of pro wrestling started goin

Sept. 4, 2018

Players on unified Korean basketball team go separate ways after Asiad silver

JAKARTA -- Members of the unified Korean women's basketball team went their separate ways on Monday after combining for silver at the Asian Games in a farewell that mixed laughter and tears.The three North Korean players on the team, Ro Suk-yong, Jang Mi-gyong and Kim Hye-yon, bid adieu to their nine South Korean teammates at the athletes' village in Jakarta, one of the co-host cities of the Asian Games that concluded on Sunday. (Yonhap)The joint Korean team won silver medal, following a 71-65 l

Sept. 3, 2018

AIBA to allow judging protests after Asian Games boxing turmoil

The International Boxing Association will introduce a right of protest against controversial judging "to ensure fair play" and prevent a repeat of ugly scenes that marred the Asian Games.Two North Korean boxing coaches were thrown out of the Asian Games Saturday after refusing to leave the ring and inciting the crowd after their fighter lost gold on a split decision to a Chinese boxer. (AFP)Police had to move in to escort the duo, who had their Asian Games credentials immediately removed, from t

Sept. 3, 2018

IOC chief hopes Koreas will march, compete together at Tokyo 2020: reports

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is hoping South and North Korea will march and compete together at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reports claimed on Sunday.According to AFP and Kyodo News, Bach made the remarks in Jakarta on the final day of the 18th Asian Games. The Koreas marched together at the opening ceremony here on Aug. 18 and fielded unified teams in canoeing, rowing and women's basketball. They won four medals together, including a gold in women's d

Sept. 3, 2018

Asian Games end and Japan, China turn eyes to Tokyo Olympics

Now comes the hard part for Japan, which is pledging to win 30 gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Japan is sure to get a "medal bounce" as the Olympic host country. But how big? China got a giant one at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Britain capitalized in 2012 in London. Even Brazil got a slight boost two years ago in Rio de Janeiro, despite the country being dragged down by a deep recession and a massive corruption scandal.Japan won 75 gold medals as the Asian Games closed on Sunday, secon

Sept. 2, 2018

Unified Korean team delivers historic medals, hopes

JAKARTA -- Together, they were strong. The unified Korean team at the 18th Asian Games showed that it can do more than just serve as a symbol of peace and friendship.This time, one Korea proved that it can also compete to win medals. For Jakarta-Palembang 2018, South and North Korea agreed to send teams in women's five-on-five basketball, men's and women's dragon boat racing in canoeing, and rowing. And Korean athletes in those sports combined for one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. The

Sept. 2, 2018

Korea falls short of gold medal target in Jakarta

JAKARTA-- South Korea arrived in Indonesia with a goal of winning at least 65 gold medals at the 18th Asian Games. But when the quadrennial competition, co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang, wraps up Sunday, Team Korea will leave having bagged 49 gold medals.South Korea didn't just fall short of its gold medal target.The country was hoping to fend off Japan for second place in the medal table for the sixth consecutive event -- with China once again far ahead of everyone else -- and South Korea end

Sept. 2, 2018

S. Korea beats Chinese Taipei for men's basketball bronze

South Korea defeated Chinese Taipei 89-81 for bronze medal in men's basketball at the 18th Asian Games on Saturday.Ricardo Ratliffe, the US-born player with South Korean citizenship, led everyone with 37 points and 17 rebounds at GBK Istora. He shot 15-of-24 from the field while playing the entire 40 minutes.South Korea, the 2014 Asiad champion, lost to Iran 80-68 in the semifinals on Thursday to fall to the bronze medal contest. (Yonhap)With Ratliffe dominating the paint, South Korea also drain

Sept. 1, 2018

Cho Gwang-hee wins 2nd straight kayak gold

South Korea's Cho Gwang-hee defended his Asian Games gold medal in the men's kayak single (K1) 200-meter race Saturday.Cho finished the race in 35.373 seconds at Jakabaring Rowing & Canoeing Regatta Course in Palembang, the co-host city of the Asian Games with Jakarta. (Yonhap)Cho edged out Sergii Tokarnytskyi of Kazakhstan by 0.372 second. Yingjie Mervyn Toh of Singapore took the bronze medal at 36.314 seconds.Cho earlier won silver in the men's K4 500m in Palembang.Kayak races are canoeing dis

Sept. 1, 2018