30 Days to Asian Games: Team Korea Vows to Fly Flag High in Japan

[Anchor]

With 30 days left until the opening of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the South Korean national athletic delegation has thrown down a resolute gauntlet, declaring, "We will plant the Taegeukgi high in the skies of Japan."

Reporter Pyeon Gwanghyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

Jeon Woong-tae, a leading figure in modern pentathlon aiming for his third consecutive Asian Games gold medal, expressed the determination of the Taegeuk warriors who are sweating through their final preparations with all their might.

[Jeon Woong-tae / National Modern Pentathlon Team: I will plant the Taegeukgi at the very highest point in the skies of Japan.]

South Korea, which finished second overall for five consecutive tournaments starting from the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, remained in third place behind Japan in the last two editions.

This time, with Japan holding the advantage as the host nation, South Korea's realistic goals have been set at a maximum of 45 gold medals and defending third place overall.

The swimming national team, which harvested 22 medals at the Hangzhou Games, expressed its determination to take the vanguard.

[Kim Woo-min / National Swimming Team: As I am competing in many events, I plan to win three or four medals, or maybe even more...]

[Hwang Sun-woo / National Swimming Team: I will come back with a medal in every event I compete in.]

The judo national team declared that they would show a bitter taste of defeat in the birthplace of judo.

[Huh Mimi / National Judo Team: Because it is being held in Japan, I feel a bit more nervous and honestly some pressure as well. But with so many people supporting me, I think I am gaining strength.]

Officials of the delegation emphasized that the training process, which broke away from coercive old methods and respected the human rights of athletes, will lead to good results.

[Kim Taek-soo / Asian Games Village Mayor: It is no longer an era where athletes have to train just because the village mayor tells them to, or because President Yoo Seung-min tells them to do so. I believe our athletes can do exceptionally well.]

The South Korean delegation will hold an official dedication ceremony on September 3 and depart for the battleground according to the schedules of each sport.

[Team Korea, Fighting!]

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Video footage captured by Hwang In-seok, Video editing by Ha Seong-won, Design by Han Heung-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.