South Korea national esports team explained

South Korea
Full Name:South Korea national esports team
Nicknames:Team Korea
Sport:Esports
Owntitle:National association
Owner:Korea e-Sports Association
Blank Label:Games

The South Korea national esports team represents the South Korea in international esports tournaments. It is organized under the Korea e-Sports Association.[1]

History

South Korea has been known for its significant role in esports. The country has been hosting amateur esports tournaments as early as the late 1990s. In 1999, Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) would be established. South Korea would host the first World Cyber Games.[2]

The KeSPA would become a semi-member of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) at a undetermined date until August 2017, when it failed to meet tighter membership standards introduced in December 2015.[3]

At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, esports would be held as a demonstration event.[2] South Korea looked to join the event but their non-membership with the KSOC at the time became an obstacle.[4] KeSPA was able to regain semi-membership after Daejeon recognized the organization as a sporting affiliate. They were able to send a delegation to the games.[3]

Esports would become a regular event at the 2022 Asian Games which was held in Huangzhou. South Korea sent an esports delegation once again. Now that esports is an official medal event, this also meant that Korean players would get exemption from military service if they clinch a gold medal at the games.[5] [6]

Titles

The South Korean esports team has fielded teams and/or players for the following titles.

Competitive record

Asian Games

Host/YearTotal
Total
align=left 20222013
Total 2 0 1 3

Notes and References

  1. News: Team Korea's Asian Games 2023 League team looks stacked . 30 September 2023 . ONE Esports . 4 September 2023.
  2. News: Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games . 30 September 2023 . Korea Times . 27 September 2023 . en.
  3. News: [The Future is Now] Esports has arrived and it’s here to stay ]. 30 September 2023 . KoreaJoongAngDaily . 22 October 2018 . en.
  4. News: Baek . Byung-yeul . Korean e-sports players to attend Asian Games . 30 September 2023 . Korea Times . 29 May 2018 . en.
  5. News: Pollard . Martin Quin . Korean gamers on cusp of gold, and avoiding military service . 30 September 2023 . Reuters . 28 September 2023 . en.
  6. News: Duerden . John . South Korean esports star can skip draft with Asia Games gold . 30 September 2023 . Nikkei Asia . 16 September 2023.