South Korea takes 39 golds at Asian Games, fewest in 44 years, finishing third
In short
South Korea finished third at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which closed on Oct. 4, with 39 gold, 43 silver and 68 bronze medals. The gold count was the country's lowest in 44 years, since the 1982 New Delhi Games, and fell short of the Korea Sports Council's target of 40 to 45 golds. China was first with 169 golds and Japan second with 83, a wider gap than at Hangzhou in 2023.
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South Korea finished third at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 39 gold, 43 silver and 68 bronze medals, according to Chosun Ilbo, Asia Economy, Hankook Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo. The games closed on Oct. 4. China topped the table with 169 golds and Japan was second with 83. The Korea Sports Council's pre-games target of 40 to 45 golds was not met, and the gold total was South Korea's lowest in 44 years, since the 1982 New Delhi Games. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Asia Economy reported that only fencing reached its target and that esports met its goal of two golds. Hankook Ilbo reported that the women's recurve team lost its top spot for the first time since the 1998 Bangkok Games, and Asia Economy reported that the women's recurve division won no gold for the first time. Korea Sports Council president Yoo Seung-min said at a closing press conference in Nagoya that it was true some strong events had stalled, citing the rapid growth of Central Asian and Southeast Asian teams and changes in the event structure, and said he was confident the result would be a spur for the sport. [ 3 , 4 ]
Ball sports performed well, Asia Economy reported: South Korea won both the men's and women's basketball titles, a fifth straight baseball title, a fourth straight men's football title and the women's handball title for the first time in eight years. Hankook Ilbo reported that the men's 3x3 basketball gold was South Korea's 800th Asian Games gold overall and that fencer Oh Sang-uk, a double gold medallist, was named MVP by the reporting team, with a prize of 30 million won. [ 3 , 4 ]
Dong-A Ilbo, reviewing the results under the keyword 'ASIAN', reported that the gap with Japan widened: Japan had 52 golds to South Korea's 42 at Hangzhou in 2023, and 83 to 39 in Nagoya, while India and Uzbekistan were fourth and fifth with 21 golds each and South Korea's total medal count fell to 150 from 190. Asia Economy reported that China won the overall title for a 12th straight time and that Japan passed 80 golds at a Summer Asian Games for the first time. North Korea sent 107 athletes and finished 12th with seven golds, all in weightlifting, it reported. [ 3 , 5 ]
Asia Economy reported criticism of the games' organisation, citing problems with accommodation, transport, training and competition conditions. Yoo Seung-min said he had attended many international competitions as an athlete and an official but never one with so many problems, grading it an 'F'. Asia Economy also reported that the Olympic Council of Asia is looking at measures to raise the games' standing, and that the Doha 2030 Summer Asian Games could be held in 2031. [ 3 ]
Korea Economic Daily reported that after South Korea beat Japan in the men's football final at Toyota Stadium on Oct. 3 for a fourth straight title, the Taegeukgi was not raised during the medal ceremony while the national anthem played, and that Japanese spectators displayed rising sun flags in the stands. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The result leaves South Korean sport facing a review of how it develops athletes in its traditional strong events ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with officials saying medal events need to be diversified. It also marks a widening gap with Japan, which hosted the games and passed 80 golds at a Summer Asian Games for the first time. Criticism of the games' organisation is part of a wider discussion about the standing of the Asian Games, with Asia Economy reporting that the OCA is seeking changes.
Key facts
- South Korea finished third with 39 gold, 43 silver and 68 bronze medals, 150 in total. [ 1 , 3 , 6 ]
- The 39 golds were South Korea's fewest in 44 years, since the 1982 New Delhi Games, when it won 28. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Korea Sports Council's target of 40 to 45 golds was not met; Asia Economy reported only fencing reached its target and esports met its two-gold goal. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- China was first with 169 golds and Japan second with 83; Japan passed 80 golds at a Summer Asian Games for the first time. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- Ball sports did well: South Korea won both basketball titles, a fifth straight baseball title, a fourth straight men's football title and the women's handball title for the first time in eight years. [ 3 ]
- Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korea Sports Council, said the games' organisation deserved an 'F' grade. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- South Korea finished third at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 39 gold, 43 silver and 68 bronze medals. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- China finished first with 169 golds and Japan second with 83. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The 39 golds were South Korea's fewest in 44 years, since the 1982 New Delhi Games. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- South Korea missed the Korea Sports Council's target of 40 to 45 golds. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The games closed on Oct. 4. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The Korea Sports Council held a closing press conference in Nagoya, where president Yoo Seung-min spoke. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- South Korea's men's football team won a fourth consecutive Asian Games title. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The Taegeukgi was not raised at the men's football medal ceremony while the national anthem played. Reported by only one outlet, Korea Economic Daily, which gives no explanation for why the flag was not raised.
- Table tennis results for South Korea. Asia Economy reported no silver medals in table tennis, while Hankook Ilbo reported no medals at all; the two accounts do not match.
- Whether the Doha 2030 Summer Asian Games will be moved to 2031. Asia Economy describes it as a prospect being discussed, with no decision reported.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games open. [ 3 ]
- South Korea beats Japan in the men's football final at Toyota Stadium for a fourth straight title; at the medal ceremony the Taegeukgi is not raised while the national anthem plays. [ 2 ]
- The games close at the athletics stadium in Nagoya's Mizuho Park. [ 3 ]
- The Korea Sports Council holds a closing press conference in Nagoya; president Yoo Seung-min says some strong events stalled and later grades the games' organisation 'F'. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports South Korea finished with 39 golds, its fewest in 44 years. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the gap with China and Japan widened and that traditional strong events were absent. [ 6 ]