South Korea's Asian Games squad vows to give their all at Aichi-Nagoya

South Korea's athletes bound for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games gathered Thursday to receive encouragement and pledge their best performances.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held the national delegation's send-off ceremony at the velodrome of the National Training Center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province.

About 800 people attended, including Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min, delegation chief Lee Sang-hyun — who also serves as president of the Korea Cycling Federation — as well as athletes and officials from member sports associations.

President Lee Jae Myung sent a congratulatory message read aloud by Minister Choi. "I am truly proud of the athletes who have carried the Taeguk mark on their chests and kept pushing past their limits, and of the coaches and staff who have stood quietly by their side with unwavering dedication," he said. He added: "I trust in the time you have poured into this without rest, and I hope you will show the world every bit of the skill you have honed right up to the final moment."

KSOC President Yoo pledged to look after the delegation's every need. "We will take careful care of accommodations, transportation, meals and medical support so that athletes can focus entirely on competing," he said. "Through Korea House, we will also promote Korean sports and culture widely and work hard on sports diplomacy."

The ceremony also featured introductions of the delegation's members, and Yoo presented the team flag to delegation chief Lee.

Minister Choi, Yoo, Lee, athlete representatives Oh Sang-uk (fencing) and Yeo Seo-jeong (gymnastics), and International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member Won Yun-jong took the stage together and simultaneously touched a Taeguk emblem displayed on a large LED media wall in a ceremonial send-off.

Swimmer Kim Woo-min, who competes for Gangwon Province, is one of South Korea's top aquatics stars. "I want to go for back-to-back MVP of the delegation," he said. "It won't be easy, but I want to push for it as hard as I can."

Women's volleyball middle blocker Lee Da-hyun said the occasion made the Games feel real. "Being here makes me feel the tournament is actually coming. I really love the team uniform," she said. "This is what the Asian Games are all about — it definitely gives you motivation."

Seo Chang-wan, a modern pentathlete who has been turning in strong results on the international circuit recently, said he felt more settled than before. "At the Hangzhou Asian Games I went in knowing nothing, but this time I'm preparing with a calmer mindset," he said. "My performance level has come up a lot and my feel for the events is good, so I just need to stay injury-free."

Fencing star Oh Sang-uk joined Minister Choi and others on stage for the send-off ceremony as one of the athlete representatives and expressed gratitude for the honor. "There are so many athletes, so I'm truly thankful to have the privilege of standing up front as a representative," he said.

Oh won two gold medals in men's sabre at the Paris Olympics and is aiming to sweep the individual and team titles for a second consecutive Asian Games. "There is pressure in defending my titles, but I will do my best with a challenger's spirit," he said.

On the delegation's overall goal of finishing third in the medal standings, Oh said he believed the team could go even further. "If every athlete gives their best in their own event, third place is absolutely within reach," he said. "But I hope Korea can climb to second, or even first."

The Games are the first summer Asian Games held in Japan in 32 years. They open with a ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 19 and run through Oct. 4 — a total of 16 days.

A total of 469 gold medals will be on offer across 43 sports and 71 disciplines. South Korea is sending a delegation of 1,052 people, including athletes competing in 41 sports along with team and headquarters officials. The main contingent departs for Nagoya on Sept. 19.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has set a target of 40 to 45 gold medals and a third-place finish in the overall standings — a position South Korea held at both the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The committee also aims to narrow the gap with host nation Japan, which finished second at both of those tournaments.