The main delegation of the South Korean national team for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games departed for Japan on September 17 to begin final preparations for the multi-sport competition. According to reports from Incheon International Airport, 122 delegates led by chef de mission Lee Sang-hyun boarded Korean Air flight KE741 at 10:35 a.m. local time.
Delegation Breakdown and Arrival Details
The departing contingent includes headquarters officials from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee alongside athletes and coaches representing badminton, road cycling, women’s handball, karate, table tennis, and beach volleyball. Shin Yu-bin and badminton player Seo Seung-jae served as flagbearers for the departing flight. Upon arrival in Nagoya, athletes will check into their respective village quarters to settle in and run final training sessions ahead of the competition.
Leadership and Opening Ceremony Roles
Leadership responsibilities for the games span several competitors. Recurve archer Kim Woo-jin and shotgun shooter Lee Bo-na were selected to captain the South Korean delegation through the tournament. Meanwhile, rower Kim Dong-yong will join Shin Yu-bin as a joint flagbearer, carrying the national flag to lead the Korean contingent during the September 19 opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya.
Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yu Seung-min addressed the athletes ahead of their departure, stating that he hopes the competitors will fully display the skills they have polished through the hot summer and asking the public to show steady support until the end.
Overall Squad Size and Schedule
South Korea has registered a total delegation of 1,051 people for the 2026 event, comprising 791 athletes, 219 team officials, and 41 headquarters staff across 41 sports. The athletes will compete against the top talent in Asia over a 16-day window starting with the September 19 opening ceremony and running through October 4.
The delegation’s next major checkpoint is the official opening ceremony at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium. Fans can follow official updates and results through the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee portals.
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