From veterans to newcomers, Taegeuk Warriors pass the torch at 2026 World Cup

When Park Ji-sung handed his captain’s armband to Ki Sung-yeung and bid farewell to the South Korean men’s national soccer team in 2011, soccer fans saw a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation to the next. Now at the 2026 World Cup, fans may be witnessing a similar moment. Perhaps one that could shape Korean soccer for the next decade. This year’s World Cup has brought together two generations of Korean soccer talent. On one side of the field are the veterans who have defined Korean

2026-06-19 09:44:35:00

World Cup puts Korean defender on Europe’s radar

A new generation of players often makes their names shine at the World Cup. And South Korea may soon see the rise of a new global icon. Interest in Lee Han-beom, who plays center back for Danish club Midtjylland, is growing across Europe, with clubs in England’s Premier League and Germany’s Bundesliga reportedly keeping tabs on him ahead of the summer transfer market, according to reports on Thursday. Ben Jacobs, a renowned Premier League commentator for Talksport, reported that clubs in England

2026-06-18 13:38:51:00

FIFA invites Korean YouTuber targeted by racist gesture to match against Mexico

A Korean YouTuber who was targeted by a racist gesture during a recent World Cup match has been invited by FIFA to attend South Korea's group-stage match against Mexico. In a statement released Wednesday, the football governing body said Yoon Su-jin, known as YouTuber Inocat, had accepted its invitation to attend the match between Korea and Mexico in Guadalajara. Though kickoff is on Friday morning in Korea, it is June 18 in Mexico, the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. FIFA said it

2026-06-17 13:16:04:00

Sneaking a look at World Cup? Koreans find ways to watch on duty (or don't)

For years, South Korean soccer fans were used to pulling all-nighters to watch World Cup games after work. But this year is different. With all three of Korea’s Group A matches kicking off at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. on weekdays, people are finding themselves juggling work or school, while trying to follow the sport’s biggest spectacle. As the Taegeuk Warriors are set to face co-host Mexico, the favorite to top Group A, at 10 a.m. Friday, fans are once again trying to find ways to squeeze the "Brunch

2026-06-16 16:47:54:00

Former S. Korean council candidate debuts as Japanese idol KO1Keyz

A former South Korean local election candidate, who ran in 2022 as the youngest contender for a local council seat in Muan, South Jeolla Province, is set to debut as a member of a Japanese idol group through a local survival competition show. Oh Shin-haeng, 22, finished fourth among the contestants on the Japanese audition program "Produce 101 Japan Shinsekai" on June 9 by earning 481,415 votes on the live finale. He will debut as party of J-pop idol group KO1Keyz. Oh will be one of the two Kore

2026-06-16 10:44:26:00

Police struggle for clues as Incheon mutilated body probe enters sixth day

An investigation into a mutilated body part discovered at a public recycling facility in Incheon entered its sixth day on Monday, with police yet to identify the victim or determine where the remains were originally discarded. Officials have obtained dashboard camera footage and vehicle operation records from eight waste collection companies that delivered recyclables to the facility and are reviewing them to determine the initial disposal site, according to the Incheon Metropolitan Police and t

2026-06-15 13:28:39:00

Two scorers and one standout goalkeeper: Meet heroes behind S. Korea’s thrilling win over Czech team

When South Korea’s equalizer came in the 22nd minute of the second half against the Czech Republic, it did not come from captain Son Heung-min or playmaker Lee Kang-in. It was Hwang In-beom who scored the country’s first goal of the tournament in its group-stage opener. The Feyenoord midfielder may not attract the same level of international attention as stars like Son and Lee, but he has established himself as a central figure in South Korea’s midfield. His equalizer on Thursday was a timely re

2026-06-12 15:44:45:00

Ejae, Andrea Bocelli light up World Cup opening ceremony

Ejae (right), the Korean American singer behind “Golden” from Netflix’s megahit “KPop Demon Hunters,” and globally renowned Italian tenor and classical crossover artist Andrea Bocelli relish the stage at the World Cup’s opening ceremony before the Group A soccer match between co-host Mexico and South Africa, in Mexico City on Thursday. (Photos: AP, Reuters and AFP)

2026-06-12 10:07:23:00

Lee honors Italy's fallen soldiers

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute to Italy's fallen soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial dedicated to Italian soldiers whose lives were lost in World War I, Thursday. Lee laid a wreath at the site and offered a silent prayer to honor the memory of soldiers who died in service to their country. Italy is the second stop on Lee's 10-day European trip. This marks his first visit to the country since taking office in June last year, as he seeks to broaden South Kor

2026-06-12 09:57:51:00

How far can Taegeuk Warriors go? Team Korea’s World Cup chances under microscope

In its 12 World Cup appearances — the most by any Asian nation — South Korea has reached the knockout stage three times: in 2002, 2010 and 2022. In 2002, buoyed by home support, it reached the semifinals and finished fourth, becoming the first — and still the only — Asian nation to go that far. Now, with the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the question on every Korean soccer fan’s mind is: Can the Taegeuk Warriors make another deep run this time? Or, for the more cautious

2026-06-11 12:48:47:00