The ssireum, an ancestral struggle
If taekwondo and its ancestor taekgyeon are the most famous disciplines in the country, ssireum, local wrestling, is another very popular traditional Korean sport. In fact, it can be said that ssireum, which is similar to Mongolian wrestling, is a bit of a cousin of Japanese sumo. Born more than 1,500 years ago as a self-defence sport, the ssireum match always starts the same way: the opponents catch each other by their satba, or fighting shorts, and then try to knock each other down. Unlike sumo wrestling, getting out of the sand circle does not cause defeat, but the restarting of the fight.
Archery, a breeding ground for champions
The practice of this sport is very common in South Korea, and the exploits of the national team in sports competitions, including the Olympic Games, attest to the archers' tradition of the Koreans. It's simple, at the last Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, the Koreans asserted themselves as the best nation in the world and won the four gold medals at stake (individual men and women and team men and women)!
This sport is also very often practiced in tourist sites where demonstrations of traditional sports are offered.Baseball draws crowds
Little known in France, baseball is the most popular team sport in the country. It was at the beginning of the 20th century that American missionaries introduced this US sport to Korea and it quickly became a success. Do not miss the opportunity to attend a game in Seoul if you have the chance. Three teams play in the capital: the Doosan Bears, the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes (the Nexen Heroes team changed its name in 2019). The first two teams play at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium, a 25,500-seat venue where the atmosphere is guaranteed when the bats are out and the fried chicken is produced in industrial quantities.
Relaxation in public baths
We highly recommend that you treat yourself to a moment in a Korean public bath: jjimjilbang. It is one of the favorite activities of Koreans and a truly unique experience for the visitor! Public baths are an important part of the local culture. And one goes there with family, friends or colleagues. You should always shower before entering the hot or burning bath, then enter the sauna only after the pores of the skin have dilated... before plunging into the ice bath to remove the sweat (watch your heart!). Then comes the ritual of peeling, rubbing, to get rid of dead skin, the secret of soft skin. After the final shower, we leave or... we start again. Much more than simple baths, these spas are therefore composed of saunas, hammams, massage rooms but also restaurants, rest rooms, etc.. Open 24 hours a day, you can even sleep there for a small fee!
Green tourism and hiking
Green tourism is booming in South Korea. Local authorities are developing infrastructures (bicycle paths, hiking trails, rafting, etc.) and opening the doors of their national and regional parks to outdoor activities.
On the hiking side, there is plenty to do. About 70% of the country is covered by mountains, the ideal place to observe Korean nature. All around Seoul, the mountains blend into the scenery and are populated on weekends by armadas of hikers of all ages. To the north of the city, Bukhansan National Park is a beautiful mountain range with beautifully weathered granite rocks that offer superb walks. Even if the weekend hordes of Seoulites come to enjoy the fresh air and greenery, it remains an ideal excursion destination. In addition to the walks and climbs, there are many interesting monuments worth visiting.
In the rest of the country, you can enjoy the Seoraksan Mountain National Park, the most famous and probably the most beautiful in Korea. Although it is often overrun by tourists, its hikes are unforgettable, between snowy peaks and elegant pine forests.
You will also have to climb to the top of the country to treat yourself to an altitude hike on the Hallasan volcano (1,950 m). Located in the centre of Jeju Island, this National Park is beautiful in all seasons, but in spring its slopes are dotted with deep pink royal azaleas, creating a unique and enchanting landscape. In winter, the snow makes the ascent more complicated. In addition, Jeju Coast offers 26 different routes, ranging in length from 5 to 23 km. Most of the time, these paths follow the coast, although some of them grow inland.
Finally, there is the largest National Park in Korea, Mount Jirisan and its peak Cheonwangbong (1,915 m). It has a very rich flora, especially bamboos and tea trees on the lower parts, and royal azaleas higher up.Skiing, the benefits of the Olympics
In South Korea, it is also possible to put your skis on and for less than in Japan. Although the resorts are not comparable to those in the Alps, the country and the resorts around Pyeongchang still hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics. And the Mecca of Korean winter sports succeeded in hosting the global event in exemplary conditions. Investments, construction of new infrastructure, development of ski slopes, creation of a high-speed train line between Seoul and Pyeongchang... the end of the Games left a transformed region. Like the Olympic city, the best ski resorts are therefore in Gangwondo. Above all, it is where all winter long you can enjoy the best natural snow in the country on the Taebaek Mountain Range. There are also a few spots in Gyeonggido, the other northern province, closer to the capital
Some water sports in summer
Finally, as soon as the good weather arrives, Koreans and tourists also meet on the islands of Incheon Bay and on the lakes surrounding the capital to practice all kinds of water sports. Sea or freshwater fishing, water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing or scuba diving are possible options.
