Kim Yeon-koung Dons Pink Spiders' Uniform Again After Decade Away

Kim Yeon-koung poses in her new uniform for the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders during a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday. /Newsis

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Volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung on Wednesday appeared in the No. 10 uniform of the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders for the first time in 11 years.

Kim held a press conference in Seoul to discuss her decision to return to her first professional club.

Kim made her professional debut in 2005 in the Korean league with the Pink Spiders and over the next four years became the best volleyball player Korea has ever produced. She then embarked on an international career that saw her spend more than a decade playing in Japan, Turkey and China. 

Due to a salary cap imposed on the teams in the league, Kim asked for a salary below what the club was offering to avoid harming junior players' prospects. She eventually signed a one-year deal worth W350 million (US$1=W1,191).

"Because overseas leagues and national team training have all been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, I thought hard about how to maintain my form, rather than money", said Kim. "To me, the most important thing is winning a medal at the Olympics next year. My pay cut seems to have shocked many around the world as well, but it's something I can swallow. I will just do my best to help the Pink Spiders win the season and the national team win an Olympic medal".

Kim has focused on rehabilitation after sustaining an injury to her abdominal muscle early this year after the final Asian Olympic qualifiers. "I'm in good form as I've had plenty of rest, and continue to do weight training".