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| South Korean volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung speaks with reporters during a press conference at Jincheon National Training Center in North Chungcheong Province, about 90 kilometers south of Seoul. / Korea Times file |
By Kang Aa-young
The South Korean women's volleyball team aims to clinch its second gold medal in a row at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games following their successful gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asiad.
That ambitious goal has become feasible with the joining of Kim Yeon-koung, one of the world's greatest volleyball stars of her time.
Regarding the gold medal prospects, Kim, 30, was humble and said clinching gold won't be as easy as it sounds.
"We learned China and Japan have their finest members, so playing against them and winning gold won't be easy," she said. "But in previous games, I've never thought we were going to lose, even though we played against strong teams."
The Jakarta Palembang Asian Games is her fourth Asiad. She didn't say whether it would be her last Asiad or not. But given her age, those who are familiar with volleyball say it could be her swansong.
Regarding her agreement to join the national team, Kim indicated it was for her younger teammates.
"I won a gold medal at the Asiad. But in the national team, there are younger players who didn't get medals. I am in it for them," she said.
The South Korean women's volleyball team will have their first game against India, Aug. 19, then China on Aug. 23. China is one of the strongest teams that is widely expected to compete with South Korea for the gold. Korea and China are in Group B.
The gold medal game will take place Sept. 1.
The South Korean women's volleyball team won gold in 2014, its first in 20 years, beating defeated defending champion China 3:0.
Other medal favorites for the 2018 Asiad include Japan and Thailand.
The South Korean team, which is ranked 10th in the world, has to face a tough competition against these teams to defend its title.
"The goal is to win another gold medal," Kim told reporters during a press conference at Jincheon National Training Center in North Chungcheong Province, about 90 kilometers south of Seoul.
Volleyball is one of the major professional sports here. The team's ultimate goal is to win a medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
The South Korean women's volleyball team's most-anticipated event for this year is planned after the Asiad, in September, when Japan holds this year's World Championships. The national team needs to secure victory to win a spot at the 2020 Olympics.
Kim is considered one of the world's most lethal attackers. Some experts say she would be better off not playing at the Asiad, to save her energy to solely focus on the upcoming championship.
"There are team members who set their goal as winning gold at the Asian Games," Kim said. "I will be with them, for them at the Asiad. Also I'd like to get more of a pension by winning gold," she remarked, drawing laughter.
In South Korea, an Asian Games gold medal or an Olympic medal of any color guarantees a variety of rewards including a pension and exemption from mandatory military service.
South Korea will only go as far as Kim takes it, though she'll have help from other star players on the team, including Lee Jae-yeong and Kang So-whi.
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