(Asian Games) Main batch of S. Korean athletes, officials heads to Indonesia
By Yoo Jee-ho
INCHEON, Aug. 15 (Yonhap) -- The main batch of South Korean athletes and officials for the 2018 Asian Games departed for the host country, Indonesia, on Wednesday, with an eye to maintaining the country's edge over Japan in the continental competition.
The delegation of 175 athletes and officials in taekwondo, badminton, golf, gymnastics, field hockey and wrestling will join a slew of others already in action in Jakarta and Palembang. The opening ceremony will be held on Saturday in Jakarta, but preliminary games in handball, football and basketball began earlier this week.
South Korea has set out to win at least 65 gold medals to finish in second place for the sixth consecutive Asian Games. With China once again expected to run the table, South Korea's realistic goal would be to fend off Japan for the runner-up spot in the medal race.
South Korean athletes and officials set to compete at the 18th Asian Games pose for photos at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 15, 2018, before departing for the host country, Indonesia. (Yonhap)
The Asian Games will run through Sept. 2. Some 11,300 athletes and officials from 45 countries will compete for 465 gold medals in 40 sports. South Korea will be represented in 39 sports by 1,044 athletes and officials.
The figure includes representatives from North Korea. The Koreas will field unified teams in women's basketball, dragon boat racing in canoeing, and three events in rowing.
They will also march in together at the opening ceremony behind the Korean Unification Flag. Lim Yung-hui, captain of the joint women's basketball team, will be the flag bearer from the South. The North will have a male athlete carry the flag with Lim.
Kim Seong-jo, president of the Korea National Sport University and head of the Asian Games delegation, said he will make sure the athletes will compete with "confidence and dignity."
Addressing partnerships with North Korea, Kim said, "This year's Asian Games will transcend sports. Hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to further engage North Koreans in sports exchange programs."
The South Korean delegation will be feted in a welcome ceremony at the athletes' village on Thursday.
Members of the South Korean men's and women's national badminton teams pose for photos at Incheon International Airport on Aug. 15, 2018, before departing for Indonesia to compete at the 18th Asian Games. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale -
Defense chief says N. Korea's hypersonic missile 'unsuccessful' in last-stage glide flight -
Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion -
N. Korea has capability to genetically engineer biological military products: U.S. report -
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale -
Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion -
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale -
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art -
Defense chief says N. Korea's hypersonic missile 'unsuccessful' in last-stage glide flight
-
Gov't likely to accept university chiefs' request to lower med school enrollment quota -
N. Korea says it conducted 'super-large warhead' test for strategic cruise missile -
(LEAD) Yoon proposes first-ever meeting with opposition leader -
(URGENT) N. Korea conducted 'super-large warhead' test for strategic cruise missile: KCNA
-
(LEAD) Gov't accepts university chiefs' request on med school enrollment quota: PM
