Sports in South Korea
Animated by a great team spirit, South Koreans regularly participate in sports tournaments and contests of different sports. In fact, there are countless types of sports practised in the country, and you will not have trouble finding the right sport to suit your needs. Football and baseball remain the South Koreans' favourite sports.
Olympic Games
The 1988 Summer Olympics were held in South Korea and have resulted in a multitude of high-level sports facilities throughout the country, such as the Seoul Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park. Both venues are now used for major sports events as well as concerts. South Korea is very successful in several sports, including football, baseball, volleyball, and skating.
South Korea also co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan. Currently, the country is in full preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics taking place in Pyeongchang, in Gangwon-do Province from the 9th until the 25th of February 2018.
Golf
Golf has become extremely popular among South Koreans in the past few years. South Korea has numerous world-class golf courses -- the best being South Cape Owners Club in Namhae, Nine Bridges on Jeju Island, and Jack Nicklaus Korea in Incheon. Since these also offer accommodation, they are a popular destination for holidays and weekends.
It is a very expensive sport if you intend to practice at a high level. However, you can still practice it as a hobby at smaller golf courses in Seoul and around the country.
Important: You must declare golf equipment at the customs upon arrival in South Korea.
Traditional sports
Living in South Korea also offers the opportunity to try traditional South Korean sports, such as 'taekwondo' or 'ssireum', which is a control technique close to the Japanese sumo. These combat sports are practised widely among young people. Taekwondo has also been an Olympic sport for nearly fifteen years. Moreover, Koreans also master archery, performing excellently at Olympic Games.
Other sports
Biking is very popular in South Korea because of the country's geography and its mountainous landscapes. You can find biking trails in almost every region, especially in the countryside. Members of the Korean Cycling Federation start from Changwon Park through paths leading to mountains and rivers. Cycling races are regularly held in different regions of the country.
Water sports such as swimming, parasailing, rafting, and scuba diving are also widespread in South Korea, not to mention windsurfing and water skiing. You can rent all the necessary equipment and even receive professional training at diving centres.
E-sports in South Korea
Professional gaming is highly regarded in South Korea with top players earning substantial sums of money. Currently, the most popular games include StarCraft, League of Legends, and Overwatch. Major companies sponsor and finance e-sport teams, including Samsung, Korea Telecom, and SK Telecom. E-sport tournaments are held regularly and fill large stadiums with thousands of live spectators.
