NAGOYA, Japan — South Korea’s main delegation has officially arrived in Nagoya for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, signaling the start of a major push for medals as the continental sporting event prepares for its opening ceremony this weekend.
A group of 122 athletes and officials landed at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Thursday, September 17. The contingent was led by delegation chief Lee Sang-hyun, with table tennis star Shin Yu-bin and badminton standout Seo Seung-jae among those leading the group upon arrival.
The athletes will now move into their assigned accommodations and begin adapting to local conditions ahead of their respective competitions.
South Korea Sends 1,051-Member Delegation
The 122-member group arriving Thursday represents only part of South Korea’s overall Asian Games delegation.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) said South Korea is sending 1,051 athletes and officials to compete in 41 of the Games’ 43 sports. Some competitions, including football, volleyball and basketball, have already begun ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially open on September 19 and will continue through October 4, with competitions taking place across Aichi Prefecture and other locations in Japan.
Shin Yu-bin and Kim Dong-yong to Carry Korea’s Flag
South Korea has also revealed its flag bearers for the opening ceremony.
Table tennis star Shin Yu-bin and rower Kim Dong-yong will carry the South Korean flag at Saturday’s ceremony at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
Shin, 22, is set to compete in women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and the women’s team event. She and Lim Jong-hoon are the reigning world No. 1 mixed-doubles pairing and won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the 2023 Asian Games, Shin collected four medals, including gold in women’s doubles.
Kim, 35, will compete in the men’s double sculls and quadruple sculls rowing events.
Meanwhile, veteran archer Kim Woo-jin and shooter Lee Bo-na have been named co-captains of the Korean delegation. Kim is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and has also won three Asian Games gold medals and 10 world titles.
Korea Targets 40 to 45 Gold Medals
South Korea has set a target of 40 to 45 gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
The goal is connected to the country’s aim of finishing third overall for a third consecutive Asian Games, following its third-place finishes at Jakarta-Palembang in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2023.
At the previous Asian Games, Japan finished second with 52 gold medals, while South Korea placed third with 42. The Korean delegation will therefore enter Nagoya with a stated goal of closing the gap with the host country.
A Major Test Before the 2028 Olympics
The Aichi-Nagoya Games are also being viewed as an important international competition ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
For many Korean athletes, the tournament provides an opportunity to measure themselves against leading competitors from across Asia while gaining experience under major-event conditions.
The Games mark Japan’s return as host of the Asian Games after 32 years, following the 1958 Tokyo and 1994 Hiroshima editions. The 2026 event features 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 469 gold medals available.
As South Korea’s main contingent settles into Nagoya, attention now shifts toward the opening ceremony and the first wave of medal events.
With its biggest stars already arriving and a target of up to 45 gold medals on the table, the Korean campaign is officially underway.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
