Euisun Chung says archery association must do more to lift EMC competitiveness

Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group and president of the Korea Archery Association, said Wednesday the association must take on a greater role in raising the competitiveness of South Korea's EMC archery program.

Chung presented medals at the EMC mixed team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the multipurpose plaza of Okazaki Central General Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, before meeting with the athletes to offer encouragement.

"Captain Park Jeong-yun, Captain Choi Yong-hee and all the athletes fought so well," he said. "India is a truly dominant force in EMC archery worldwide. We are working hard to keep up, but I felt we need to train in even better ways. I realized there is much more the association needs to do going forward."

He added that simply competing at the Asian Games was itself an honor. "Whether it's gold, silver or bronze, the fact that they made it to the Asian Games is an honor in itself and something that will benefit the athletes' futures," he said. "I will keep cheering them on."

South Korea claimed a silver medal in the EMC mixed team event and a bronze in the women's team event on Wednesday, with Chung watching from the venue.

The pair of Park Jeong-yun and Choi Yong-hee tied India 157-157 in the mixed team final before losing the shoot-off 19-20 to settle for silver. In the women's team event, Kang Yeon-seo, Park Jeong-yun and Park Ye-rin defeated Chinese Taipei 229-228 to claim bronze for the second consecutive time.

Chung had lunch with the EMC squad on Tuesday, sharing eel rice bowls as a show of support. Hyundai Motor Group and the Korea Archery Association have been providing the team with dedicated accommodations, rest facilities and customized meals throughout the Games.

Chung also offered encouragement to the recurve team, which begins its medal rounds on Friday. "I saw them at lunch on Wednesday and they all seemed to be in good shape," he said. "If they win the battle within themselves, I think they'll do just fine."

The Korea Archery Association, which oversees what is widely regarded as the world's strongest archery program, has long been recognized as a model sports federation for its fair and transparent national team selection system and systematic support for athletes. Hyundai Motor Group has backed Korean archery for more than 40 years since 1985, and Chung has served as association president since 2005.