Heo Su-bong and Lim Dong-hyeok Fire South Korea to 3-1 Win Over Taiwan in Asian Championship Opener

South Korea survived a tense opening set and then pulled away from Taiwan to start the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship with a 3-1 victory. The Korean team won 29-27, 19-25, 25-15, 25-15 in the Group C match played in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.

Heo Su-bong led both teams with 19 points, while Lim Dong-hyeok scored 18. Lim added three service aces and two blocks, and Park Chang-seong contributed nine points, including five blocks.

South Korea nearly lost the first set after falling behind 22-23. Officials initially called a net-touch fault on Heo, but coach Isanaye Ramirez requested a video review, and the call was overturned. South Korea then took the set after a deuce battle, with blocks from Choi Jun-hyeok and Han Tae-jun sealing the advantage.

Taiwan claimed the second set, but South Korea controlled the match afterward. Lim scored seven points in the third set, including consecutive service aces, while Heo took over as the finisher in the fourth. South Korea next faces Thailand on the 7th and Qatar on the 8th.

The tournament carries major Olympic stakes. The winner qualifies directly for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and the teams finishing first through third earn places at the 2027 FIVB World Cup. South Korea has set a target of finishing at least third.