Kim Jang-hwan: 800-900 South Korean athletes to compete in Asiad

Guangzhou, February 21 - Kim Jang-hwan, South Korean Counsul General in Guangzhou, recently revealed that his country will send 800-900 athletes to take part in the 16th Asian Games during an interview with the Games' official website. In comparison, the South Korean contingent at the Beijing 2008 Olympics was much smaller with only over 200 athletes.

Kim Jang-hwan, South Korean Counsul General in Guangzhou

Mr Kim said South Korean athletes will compete in all 42 sports of Guangzhou 2010. He added that a huge number of South Korean tourists are also expected to visit the city during the largest sporting gala of Asia.

A traditional sporting powerhouse in Asia and top three finisher on the medal tally of the Asian Games, South Korea has hosted several major international sporting events, such as the Seoul 1986 Asian Games, Seoul 1988 Olympic Games and Busan 2002 Asian Games; Incheon will host the 17th Asian Games in 2014. Mr Kim believed that a successful major international sporting event can bring the host country and city various benefits, improving their global image and status, boosting economic cooperation, giving a facelift to the host city and strengthening its citizens' confidence and sense of social responsibility, among other things. He said this year's Asian Games will be an ideal opportunity for Guangzhou to present the best of itself to the world.

Kim Jang-hwan (right), South Korean Counsul General in Guangzhou, receives a gift from He Chen of the Official Website of the 16th Asian Games.

Mr Kim has immense expectations for the Opening Ceremony of the Guangzhou Asian Games. He pointed out the prominent role of the Pearl River in the development of Guangzhou and Guangdong Province and suggested elements of the river feature in the Opening Ceremony on November 12.

Mr Kim became the South Korean Counsul General in Guangzhou in March 2009.

(Wang Lei)