South Korean Ambassador to Ghana: Football remains Korea’s most popular sport

The South Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, says football continues to hold its place as the most popular sport in South Korea even as the country expands its interest in a variety of other sporting disciplines.

He made the point in an exclusive interview with Channel One Sports ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly between Ghana and South Korea.

Ghana face South Korea on November 18 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, four days after losing 2-0 to Japan in an earlier friendly that saw midfielder Francis Abu suffer a double leg fracture.

Ambassador Park noted that while South Korea has broadened its sporting culture, football still sits firmly at the top.

"Before, soccer was maybe the only sport we could enjoy, but nowadays our people are participating in swimming, table tennis and golf," he said to Channel One TV.

"Diversification and first-hand experience in different sports have become important in Korea, but football remains the most popular."

South Korea and Ghana last met at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars recorded a 3-2 victory in one of the tournament’s standout group-stage matches. Ghana, however, exited at the group stage, while South Korea reached the Round of 16.