Kim Yeon-koung's big retirement bash — in pictures

Volleyball

Published: 10 Jun. 2024, 12:54

Kim Yeon-koung's big retirement bash — in pictures

Kim Yeon-koung celebrates during a game between the V League All-Star team and Team World at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Sunday. [NEWS1]

Korean volleyball's biggest star Kim Yeon-koung officially retired from international volleyball with a star-studded series of games at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul over the weekend.

The event, dubbed the KYK Invitational, saw two different Korean All-Star teams face each other on Saturday, before a V League All-Star squad took on "Team World" on Sunday. An official retirement ceremony was also held on Saturday.

Kim, who actually stepped down from national duty three years ago, remains active in the domestic V League.

Kim Yeon-koung signals to teammates during the first of two exhibition games held to mark her retirement from the Korean national team at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Kim Yeon-koung, center, wipes away a tear during the retirement ceremony on Saturday. [NEWS1]

Kim Yeon-koung waves to fans during her national team retirement ceremony at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Celebrity guests at the KYK Invitational include Yoo Jae-suk, center, Lee Kwang-soo, right, and Na Yeong-seok, back left. [NEWS1]

Kim Yeon-koung speaks during the retirement ceremony. [YONHAP]

Oh Han-nam, president of the Korea Volleyball Association, hands Kim Yeon-koung her No. 10 national team uniform during a retirement ceremony on Saturday. Kim's uniform also hands in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. [NEWS1]

Kim Yeon-koung catches her breath during a game between the V League All-Star team and Team World at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Sunday. [NEWS1]

Kim Yeon-koung receives a serve during a game between the V League All-Star team and Team World at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The V League All-Star team celebrate winning the first set of an exhibition game against Team World on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Kim Yeon-koung celebrates during a game between the V League All-Star team and Team World at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Sunday. [NEWS1]

Players pose for a photo after the second of two exhibition games marking Kim Yeon-koung's retirement at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul on Sunday. [YONHAP]

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]