Golfer Chooses S. Korean Nationality

He became a resident of Korea late last year because he wanted to realize the ‘Korean Dream’ as a professional golfer. Before the opening of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament, which ended at Miyazaki, Japan, Baek Ga-hwa protested at the headquarters of the tournament. In his profile, he was listed as either Japanese or North Korean.

“I am clearly of South Korean nationality. Please put the Taegeukgi next to my name,” he said.

Came to Korea to play golf-

Wearing a vest that said “Baek Ga-hwa (Kor),” he matched strides with his caddy to receive a 4 under par in the fourth round. Together with Kim Jong-deok (45, Nanosoul), he came in 25th, the best score by Koreans in this tournament.

Baek, who started golf at age 15, went to the Jochongnyeon-associated Joseon Acacdemy in Hiroshima in the mid-1990s, and visited Pyongyang on a school trip. In 2000, he debuted as a pro, and received a full seed for the first time this season in the Japanese Golf Tour. The amount of prize money he has received this year is 25,781,032 yen, good for 41st place on the money list.

With his build of 178cm and 85kg, his hope is to debut on Korean ground. At Kim Jong-deok’s recommendation, it seems he will be able to participate in seasons 2 and 3 of Korea’s tournaments. He is already full of expectations.

Dream is to play on the Korean field… Likely to happen next year-

“There are many excellent golfers in Korea. I will work hard to become the best golfer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahn Yeong-hak of the Busan I-park soccer team is the representative athlete in the domestic sports field among those from Jocheongnyeon.

kjs0123@donga.com