Sports & Activities - Seoul - page 89

Sports & Activities
Baseball and soccer are the major spectator sports in Seoul. As
for activities, don't miss out on having a relaxing sweat and
cleansing soak in a jjimjil-bang (communal sauna and bath-
house). Hiking is popular year-round, while skiing and ice skat-
ing take over in winter.
Baseball
Introduced in 1905 by American missionaries, baseball is Korea's favourite sport. There
are three Seoul teams in the Korean League ( www.koreabaseball.com ) and two of them -
the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins - play at Jamsil Stadium. Matches take place from
March to October (except for the summer break), and are well attended, with a lively atmo-
sphere.
Soccer
In the 16-team professional K-League ( www.kleague.com ), Seoul FC plays from March to
November in the World Cup Stadium. Crowds are bigger and there's more atmosphere
when the national team is playing at the stadium, cheered on by the Red Devil supporters.
Basketball
Seoul's Samsung Thunders and SK Knights play in the Korean Basketball League
( www.kbl.or.kr ). Matches play November to March at Jamsil Gymnasium; play-offs until
May.
Ssireum
Ssireum is Korean-style wrestling, more like Mongolian wrestling than Japanese sumo.
Competitions held at Jangchung Gymnasium during Lunar New Year and Chuseok holi-
days.