The 1978 semifinalists are back on the world stage for the first time since 2014
Korea will compete in their 10th FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship this September, returning to the tournament for the first time in 11 years. They have been drawn into Pool C and will face France on 14 September, Argentina on 16 September, and Finland on 18 September at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The team’s return ends a long absence from the competition and offers a new opportunity to measure their improvement against top international sides.
Their most successful World Championship run remains the 1978 edition, where they reached the semifinals and ultimately finished fourth. That campaign was led by Kim Ho-Chul, one of the most iconic figures in Korean volleyball history and a name widely respected across Asia. Known for his vision and control as a setter, Kim later built a successful coaching career that further shaped the sport’s development both at home and abroad.
While the team have not replicated that result since, Korea have maintained a strong presence within Asia.
They have won four Asian Championship titles and three gold medals at the Asian Games, and regularly contend with continental rivals such as Japan, Iran and China. However, translating that consistency into performances at the world level has remained a challenge, particularly in recent decades.
Following missed qualifications in 2018 and 2022, the Korea Volleyball Association took steps to strengthen the national team structure. Brazilian head coach Issanaye Ramires was appointed to bring new technical insight and international experience to the programme. His arrival reflects a broader commitment to modernising the team’s approach, while preserving the playing characteristics that have long defined Korean volleyball.
Action between Korea and Indonesia at the 2023 AVC Senior Men’s Championship. (Photo credits: AVC)
These changes have been supported through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme. Since 2021, the Korean men’s programme has received a total of $126,000 in coaching support, including an $84,000 12-month ongoing project approved in 2023.
Korea’s style of play remains rooted in speed, rhythm and tactical precision. Rather than relying on height or power, the team have traditionally used quick transitions, ball control and coordinated movement to break down opponents. That identity continues today, shaped by players developed through the country’s professional V-League, which offers a high standard of domestic competition and regular exposure to international talent.
Among the players expected to lead the team is outside hitter Heo Su-bong, one of the few holdovers from recent national team selections and a standout in the Korean league. He is joined by Lee Woo-jin, who spent the 2024–25 season in Italy’s SuperLega with Vero Volley Monza, gaining valuable experience in one of the most competitive club competitions in the world.
The 2025 World Championship will serve as an important benchmark for Korea’s current generation. In a challenging group that includes Olympic champions France and strong contenders like Argentina and Finland, the focus will be on execution, adaptability and clarity in performance. For a team with deep roots in the sport and a renewed commitment to development, this return is a chance to reinstate their place within the changing landscape of international volleyball.
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