Military adds sledding sports to winter team

The Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps said on Monday that it has created a bobsleigh, skeleton and luge team, hoping to help local athletes prepare for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.

Since 2012, the military has maintained a winter sports team of male athletes who also need to complete their mandatory military duty. The athletic corps, better known as Sangmu, has an ice hockey, ice skating, skiing and triathlon team.

The creation of the new team was completed after discussing with sports federations that want their athletes to maintain their skills while serving.

Previously, those who competed in bobsleigh, skeleton and luge had to complete their service in normal battle units.

The athletic corps said it has already picked three athletes for bobsleigh, one for skeleton and two for luge. They completed their five-week basic military service at the training camp and were transferred to the athletic corps late last month.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [joo.kyungdon@joongang.co.kr]