The main contingent of South Korea's delegation to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games returned home on the 5th.
Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, delegation chief Lee Sang-hyun, other delegation officials and support staff, and members of the tennis, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, breaking and sport climbing teams — about 80 people in all — arrived at Incheon International Airport. Most of the delegation had already returned in stages as their events concluded.
At the Games, held in Nagoya and across Aichi Prefecture from Sept. 19 through the previous day, South Korea won 39 gold, 43 silver and 68 bronze medals to finish third overall, behind China (169 gold, 89 silver, 83 bronze) and Japan (83 gold, 95 silver, 91 bronze).
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young, who attended a closing ceremony that doubled as a welcome event, told the athletes that the sweat and passion behind every moment had moved and delighted the public. "Some of you achieved the results you wanted and some of you are left with regrets, but all of you who gave your best are proud national team members of the Republic of Korea," he said.
Yoo said he was proud of and deeply grateful to the athletes for quietly holding their ground and doing their best despite poor conditions on site.
"On behalf of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, I offer my sincere apologies to the public and to the soldiers of the armed forces who were hurt by the careless remarks of some athletes regarding military service benefits," Yoo said.
The next Asian Games are scheduled for 2030 in Doha, Qatar, though there is talk that the event could be pushed back by a year to bolster its standing and draw.
