Kim Yeon-kyung "Today is My Last Match as a National Team Player"... Announces Retirement from National Team

Korean women's volleyball national team player Kim Yeon-koung. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] Kim Yeon-koung (33), who led the golden generation of the South Korean women's volleyball national team, has announced her retirement from the national team.

Kim Yeon-koung made the announcement in an interview with the press after losing 0-3 (18-25, 15-25, 15-25) to Serbia in the bronze medal match of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on the 8th.

When asked, "The Paris Olympics are only three years away; are you not planning to play?" she replied, "It's difficult to say, but I need to discuss it with the president of the Korea Volleyball Association," adding, "Today is effectively my last game playing for the national team."

She expressed, "The meaning of being on the national team was so heavy that it was hard even to talk about," and added, "I felt honored and proud." She continued, "Through this tournament, the juniors were able to find their direction," and urged, "I hope the juniors work hard and continue to show great performances."

Kim Yeon-koung, who first wore the Taegeuk mark at the age of 17 in 2005, played as the flagship player of the women's national team for 16 years. She achieved notable results such as reaching the semifinals at the 2012 London Olympics, winning the gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and advancing to the semifinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.