Sports Options in Korea

Following are some of the sports one can enjoy in Korea. For more specific information, check out the following two section on the site: Fun & Fitness and Sports Clubs & Teams.

Badminton
Popular throughout Asia, Korean singles and doubles players often make the finals in regional and world championships. At almost any outdoor recreation park, you can find several badminton nets setup and many enthusiasts hitting a birdie back and forth.

Baseball
The country has a number of professional baseball teams, most owned by the major business conglomerates. At the end of each year's season, the Korean World Series keeps fans glued to the TV, rooting for their favorite team. Teams have recruited several foreign players.

Basketball
Basketball has become very popular, especially among those of the younger generation who are considerably taller than their parents. The country has a number of professional basketball teams, most owned by major business conglomerates, with several foreign players.

Bicycling
For many years, the bicycle was the main mode of local transportation for most Koreans. With the prosperity of the 1980s, the number of automobiles has far exceeded the ability of the roads to handle them. Trying to bicycle in any of Korea's metropolitan areas can be suicide at times. Fortunately, the government has recently begun to build bike lanes trails, especially along the riverside parks bordering the Han River in Seoul. Mountain biking has also been gaining in popularity in recent years. The Korean Mountain Biking Association can be reached at (02) 967-9287. The Olympic Velodrome has professional track racing during the summer months.

Billiards
Although the Korean version (danggu) has been popular for years, Western-style (pok'etbol) billiards has also gained in popularity and most pool halls now have both types of tables. In danggu, players hit 2 white and 2 red balls around a table without any pockets. Many bars have also added pool tables for their patrons' use

Bowling
Bowling, an international past time, has many fans in Korea. Bowling alleys often have huge bowling pins advertising their locations. Expats should have no problem finding shoes and balls for their sizes. Most alleys have computerized systems to keep track of scores and number of games played.

Camping
Rather than the traditional form of hiking into the back country and pitching a tent, Korean families are more likely to set up their camp site next to their car in a common area for "car camping." Several organized camp site do exist in national parks and other tourist areas. Generally, camping outside of designated areas is not permitted.

Cricket
Although not one of the most popular sports in Korea, cricket does have a following among local expatriates.

Fishing
With all of Korea's rivers, streams, lakes, and ocean beaches, as well as man-made lakes and reservoirs, ample opportunities exist for fishing. Many travel agencies arrange fishing tours, both fresh water and deep sea.

Gambling
Koreans love to gamble. Unfortunately, most legal gambling areas are open only to foreign passport holders. Several of the major tourist hotels have casinos which include black jack tables and roulette wheels.

Golf
With golf being a symbol of status, the sport has taken the country by storm, and dozens of golf clubs have sprung up all around the peninsula. Membership and greens fees are extremely expensive, however.

Hiking
One might think that mountain climbing is Korea's national sport. On any given weekend, the hills around Seoul and every other city are filled with Koreans wearing alpine hiking clothes. Bright knee-high socks, hiking boots, colored vests, and walking sticks adorn most of the hikers, and can be bought very cheaply here.

Horse Racing
Korea has two horse racing venues: Seoul Racetrack in Kwach'on and Cheju Racetrack on Cheju Island. Although races are normally only held during weekends, night racing also takes place during August. During the week, visitors can take guided tours of the grounds.

Hot Springs / Public Bathing
As many Korean homes have very small bath tubs (if at all), most people prefer to make a regular trip to their local public bath house for a good, long soak. Korea has many natural hot springs, especially near mountain resorts. A trip to the hot springs makes the perfect end after a long day's hike up a mountain.

Rugby
A number of Koreans and expatriates like to get together for bruises and blood in weekend rugby matches. Like some other sports, some Korean companies have formed professional teams and are trying to increase local interest in the sport.

Scuba/Skin Diving
Cheju Island is a very popular area for scuba/skin diving and snorkeling. Between June and October, the water temperature and water quality are at their best. Many equipment rental agencies near popular dive areas can provide a full line of gear. Air lines do not usually allow compressed air tanks, whether filled or empty, on their flights, so you will need to rent them at your destination.

Skiing (snow)
While Korea's mountains do not reach the same heights as at other ski resorts around the world, they still offer many good downhill slopes. The season runs from late November through March, and most resorts have decent snow making equipment during the dry periods. Until a few years ago, most slopes prohibited snow boarding, but now most do allow snow boarders and some have slopes set aside specifically for them. Like most areas in Korea, ski resorts become quite crowded on weekends and holidays, so weekdays are a much better time to go. Resorts rent and sell ski equipment to fit all sizes, and many have ski instructors who can speak English and other languages.

Soccer
On evenings and weekends you can find many organized or pick-up games at parks and play grounds. There are also professional soccer teams sponsored by the major corporations.

Swimming
Public swimming pools resemble wading pools more than actual swimming areas. Many of the larger hotels have their own pools for their guests to use, although non-guests can usually use them on a pay-per-use basis. Swimming at most lakes and reservoirs is prohibited as the water is usually used for drinking by the local communities. Streams and rivers, if not too polluted, are very popular, and many families sent up camp sites in these areas during their summer vacations. At ocean beaches, the lifeguards tend to get upset at anyone going out past waist deep.

Table Tennis/Ping Pong
Called t'akgu in Korean, many table tennis halls can be found, often nearby pool halls and universities. It is mostly popular with college students and young businessmen.

Tennis
Koreans, especially housewives, enjoy hitting a tennis ball back and forth at the many tennis courts in the country. Courts are generally dirt, although some clay courts have been set up, and exist mostly near apartment complexes or universities.