South Korea Finishes Third With 150 Medals at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
Our athletes showed grit and determination on the Asian Games stage, delivering deep emotion and joy to the public,
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Whi-young said following the conclusion of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
South Korea finished the continental multisport competition in third place overall, collecting 39 gold, 43 silver, and 68 bronze medals for a total of 150 medals, news1.kr reported. China and Japan claimed the top two spots in the final medal standings.
Minister Choi will greet the returning delegation directly at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on Friday afternoon, joining an official welcome ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC). Around 90 people, including KSOC President Yoo Seung-min, Chef de Mission Lee Sang-hyun, and core support staff, will attend the arrival event.
During the ceremony, Minister Choi will present flower bouquets to the athletes. Chef de Mission Lee will deliver the official competition results report to the public, and KSOC President Yoo will receive the returned team flag to officially conclude the delegation’s campaign.
Team sports and fencing bolster South Korea medal count
South Korea dispatched 790 athletes across 41 sports to the Aichi-Nagoya Games. While the team secured third place, the gold medal count fell short of the pre-tournament target of 40 to 45 titles.
Strong performances in team sports bolstered the delegation’s totals. Basketball yielded three gold medals after victories in the men’s and women’s five-on-five tournaments alongside the men’s three-on-three competition. Women’s handball also captured the top podium spot.
Fencing added four gold medals, anchored by Oh Sang-uk’s two-win performance, while badminton star An Se-young successfully defended her title in the women’s singles event.
Conversely, traditional powerhouse events such as archery and swimming produced fewer medals than anticipated. The overall gold medal total of 39 marked the lowest tally for South Korea at an Asian Games since the 1982 New Delhi edition. Host nation Japan finished the competition with 83 gold medals, widening the gap with South Korea to 44 golds.
Minister Choi pledges continued support for athlete training
Following the delegation’s return, Minister Choi expressed appreciation for the athletes’ efforts and the staff members who managed the team’s logistics and safety throughout the event.
We deeply thank the coaches and staff who worked hard to ensure our athletes completed the competition safely,
Minister Choi stated, according to news1.kr. The ministry will continue supporting our athletes so they can train in better environments and fully display their skills on the international stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Asian Games Delegation
Who attended the final match in Toyohashi?
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Whi-young attended the baseball final between South Korea and Japan at Toyohashi City Ballpark in Aichi Prefecture alongside KBO Commissioner Huh Koo-youn and Chef de Mission Lee Sang-hyun.
How many athletes and sports did South Korea represent?
South Korea sent 790 athletes competing across 41 different sports disciplines to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
What were the specific medal totals for South Korea?
The delegation won 39 gold, 43 silver, and 68 bronze medals, bringing their cumulative total to 150 medals and securing third place behind China and Japan.
Related reading