As the 2017 Korea Baseball Organization season enters the annual All-Star break, two sluggers surnamed Choi are locked in a duel for the league's highest individual honor.Choi Hyoung-woo of the Kia Tigers and Choi Jeong of the SK Wyverns are not related, but they'll keep hearing their names mentioned together in MVP conversations the rest of the season.After starring for the Samsung Lions for several years, Choi Hyoung-woo signed a four-year, 10 billion-won (US$8.79 million) free agent deal with

As the first half of the 2017 Korea Baseball Organization season came to an end Thursday, the Kia Tigers were sitting pretty atop the standings, having faced few challenges along the way.A wild card team last year, the Tigers now hold an eight-game lead over the second-place NC Dinos, with a record of 57-28. They swept the Dinos in the final three-game series of the first half and are entering the All-Star break this weekend on a five-game winning streak.The season resumes next Tuesday.The Tiger

South Korean footballer Son Heung-min on Thursday departed for London to prepare for a new English Premier League season with Tottenham Hotspur.Son stayed in his homeland about 70 days after having a successful season with Tottenham. He netted 21 goals in all competitions during the 2016-2017 season, breaking the single-season scoring record for a South Korean in Europe. The mark was previously held by Cha Bum-kun, who had 19 goals for the German outfit Bayer Leverkusen in the 1985-1986 season.T

Reigning South Korean pro football champions FC Seoul said Thursday they've signed Croatian forward Ivan Kovacec.Seoul didn't release details of the contract but said Kovacec will boost their attack with his K League Classic experience and his dribbling skills.In this file photo taken Oct. 26, 2016, Croatian forward Ivan Kovacec takes a penalty during the FA Cup match between Ulsan Hyundai and Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan. (Yonhap)Kovacec spent most of his career in

A South Korean baseball pitcher recently charged with driving under the influence of alcohol was suspended for 72 games on Thursday.The Korea Baseball Organization also ordered 120 hours of community service for LG Twins' left-hander Yoon Ji-woong, who was booked without physical detention Monday in Seoul.The KBO also issued a warning to the Twins for their lack of oversight. In this file photo taken on April 13, 2017, Yoon Ji-woong of the LG Twins leaves the mound in the bottom fifth in a Korea

The South Korean baseball league will bid adieu to one of its greatest players with a series of special events in his final All-Star Game this weekend.The Korea Baseball Organization said Thursday that Samsung Lions slugger Lee Seung-yuop will take the field with his two sons, Eun-hyuk and Eun-yuop, prior to the midsummer classic at 6 p.m. Saturday at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu. Eun-hyuk, 13, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, with his younger brother Eun-yuop, 7, standing at the

The South Korean baseball club Lotte Giants on Thursday reacquired their former ace Josh Lindblom.The 30-year-old American right-hander is rejoining the Korea Baseball Organization team that he left seven months ago, so that he could be back home with his ailing daughter, Monroe.Lindblom signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and made four appearances there, posting a 7.84 ERA in 10 1/3 innings without a win-loss record.The Giants said Lindblom agreed to a $475,000 deal for the rest of the season. H

South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo has re-joined his old Japanese club FC Tokyo, the footballer's agency said Wednesday.Inspokorea said Jang signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the J. League outfit after a medical test, and officially ended his spell with Chinese side Guangzhou R&F.Jang made his pro debut with FC Tokyo in 2012 and scored four goals in 40 matches in two seasons before moving to Guangzhou. The 25-year-old had been a regular member with the Chinese Super League club, but lost h

South Korea's football governing body on Wednesday announced the new coaches for the men's national team, with two stars from the 2002 FIFA World Cup joining head coach Shin Tae-yong's staff.The Korea Football Association said it has hired Jeon Kyung-jun, Kim Nam-il, Cha Du-ri, Kim Hae-woon and Lee Jae-hong as backroom staff for the national team following Shin's request. The KFA earlier said Shin, who was named the new national team boss last week, had all the rights to form his staff.This phot

South Korean baseball club Lotte Giants on Wednesday released struggling American pitcher Nick Additon.The 29-year-old left-hander went just 2-7 with a 5.91 ERA in 15 appearances for the Korea Baseball Organization club this year. He joined the Giants on March 29, two days prior to the start of the season, as a last-minute replacement for Parker Markel, who asked to be released after struggling to adjust to the new league in spring training. In this file photo taken on June 8, 2017, Nick Additon

South Korea will host Sweden in two women's hockey friendly games later this month, officials said Wednesday.The Korea Ice Hockey Association said the 22nd-ranked South Korea and No. 5-ranked Sweden will meet on July 28 and 29 at Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung, some 230 kilometers east of Seoul. The puck drop for the first game is 7 p.m., and the second game starts at 3 p.m.The two countries will also clash in the preliminary round at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next February. They're

South Korea women's football coach Yoon Duk-yeo is set to sign a new contract that will take him through the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, officials in Seoul said Wednesday.Yoon will negotiate the contract terms with the Korea Football Association following the technical committee's recommendation. Yoon's two-year contract ended last month, but the KFA is reportedly ready to offer another two-year contract to the 56-year-old, who will be tasked with leading the team to the 2019 World Cup in Franc

Former major league pitcher Hector Noesi has been the most dominant starter in South Korea so far this year -- not simply because he has overpowered hitters but because he has relied on his considerable smarts and guile.As the first half of the 2017 Korea Baseball Organization season nears its end, Noesi, right-handed ace for the Kia Tigers, leads all hurlers with a perfect 14-0 record. He won his 14th game Tuesday against the NC Dinos to tie the KBO record for most consecutive wins by a starter

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Kim Hyun-soo singles in the fourth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 14, 2017. (Yonhap)For a second consecutive season, Baltimore Orioles left fielder Kim Hyun-soo has found himself fighting to hold down his starting spot. But compared to last season, stating his case in 2017 has proven to be a struggle, as his offensive production has unexpectedly deteriorated.Last season, Kim’s spring training struggles lost him the confidence of manager Buck S

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Ryu Seung-woo will return to his old South Korean club Jeju United after playing nearly four years overseas, officials here said Tuesday.Jeju said they've acquired Ryu from Leverkusen, but didn't disclose the terms of the contract. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder first joined Jeju in November 2013 but was loaned out to Leverkusen one month later before even playing in the top-flight K League Classic.In this file photo taken on Aug. 9, 2016, South Korean footballer