South Korea Men’s Kabaddi Squad for Asian Games 2026

South Korea has unveiled its 12-member men’s kabaddi squad for the 20th Asian Games, which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026. Korea may not have the same kabaddi tradition as India, Iran or Pakistan, but their history at the Asian Games means they cannot be taken lightly. The country has previously shown that disciplined preparation, athleticism and tactical execution can make them dangerous against even the biggest teams in the sport. The 2026 squad will now have the responsibility of carrying that reputation into another Asian Games campaign.

South Korea Men’s Kabaddi Squad

The 12 players shown in the announced squad are:

Jang Kun Lee, Dong Gyu Kim, Keon Myeong Kim, Dong Geon Lee, Jong Hoon Choi, Ju Hwan Kim, Min Soo Byeon, Hyung Jin Jang, Dong Woo Kim, Han Eol Kim, Hyun Min Heo and Ji Won Ku.

Among the names, Jang Kun Lee will naturally attract significant attention from Indian kabaddi followers. He became one of South Korea’s most recognizable kabaddi players through his performances in the Pro Kabaddi League and his international career.

Jang Kun Lee Brings Valuable Experience

Having an experienced campaigner such as Jang Kun Lee in the setup could be extremely valuable for South Korea. Jang has competed against many of the best defenders in the world and understands the intensity and tactical demands of top-level kabaddi. His experience could become particularly important in close group-stage matches where decision-making under pressure matters as much as raw ability. Beyond his individual contribution, his presence can also help a relatively less-exposed Korean squad prepare for the playing styles of South Asian opponents.

South Korea’s Asian Games Legacy

South Korea already owns an important place in modern Asian Games kabaddi history. At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Korea stunned India 24-23 during the group stage, handing India its first-ever defeat in Asian Games kabaddi at the time. Korea went on to reach the men's final, where they faced Iran and finished with the silver medal. That campaign demonstrated what makes Korea dangerous. Rather than trying to replicate the traditional kabaddi systems of India or Iran, the Koreans combined athletic movement with disciplined defensive structures and a willingness to attack aggressively. Their challenge in 2026 will be to rediscover that level of competitiveness.

Group Stage Presents a Major Challenge

South Korea has been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei and host nation Japan. With only the top two teams from the group progressing to the semi-finals, there will be little margin for error. India will enter as the overwhelming favourite, leaving Korea potentially fighting with Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei and Japan for another qualification position. That could make their head-to-head encounters some of the most important matches of the group stage. Korea’s past success against India also adds another layer of intrigue whenever the two sides meet.

Can South Korea Become a Medal Contender Again?

The potential is certainly there, but the landscape of Asian kabaddi has become increasingly competitive. India and Iran remain the benchmarks, while teams such as Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh, Japan, Pakistan and Nepal continue to develop. South Korea therefore cannot rely on its reputation from previous Asian Games campaigns. Their success in Aichi-Nagoya will depend on how quickly the 12 players develop into a cohesive unit. The presence of experienced players such as Jang Kun Lee gives Korea a foundation, but consistency across the entire squad will ultimately determine whether they can progress from the group and challenge for a medal.

Final Thoughts

South Korea enters the 20th Asian Games 2026 as one of the more intriguing teams in the men’s kabaddi competition. They have already proven that they are capable of upsetting the traditional hierarchy, and their 2018 silver medal remains evidence of what Korean kabaddi can achieve at its best. With a 12-member squad preparing for Aichi-Nagoya and Jang Kun Lee providing valuable experience, South Korea will be aiming to make its presence felt once again on Asia’s biggest sporting stage.