South Korean swimmer Kim Junwoo, 18, has decided to stay home and train in South Korea after previously committing to the University of Florida for the 2026-2027 season.
Kim spoke highly of the opportunity to train with the Gators, but said that the familiarity of training at home was a big draw for him to stay.
“While the opportunity to train at Florida was incredible, my family and I have decided it‘s best for my career going forward to stay in Korea,” Kim told SwimSwam. “I have already established a dedicated group of coaches and teammates here. I want to be able to focus entirely on my training without the stress of adapting to a new environment and training regiment. I will continue to train alongside my fellow national team members at the Olympic village.
“Additionally, there is an Athletes‘ Village in Korea where all national team athletes live together, and there is a rule that if you do not train at that location, you cannot join the national team.”
The National Training Center is located in Jincheon, and national team athletes from most of South Korea’s sports train there.
There have not been many Korean swimmers who trained in the NCAA, though the first was Kim Bang-Hyun, who swam at the University of Florida and was a three-time Olympian for South Korean. He was a five-time All-American from 1997 to 2000, and swam at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games.
Kim has represented Korea at several international meets, including the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, two World Cup stops in 2024, and the 2024 World Short Course Swimming Championships.
He won a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in 2023 in the 1500 free (15:01.94), and had finishes of 29th in the 400 free and 26th in the 800 free at the 2024 World Short Course Championships.
Best Times in Long Course Meters:
- 200 free – 1:48.23
- 400 free – 3:48.11
- 800 free – 7:49.90
- 1500 free 14:58.68
His best times in the 400, 800, and 1500 free are both from the Queensland Open in December, reigniting his improvements after a bit of a stagnant few years.
The University of Florida has one of the best distance training groups in the world, led by pros Bobby Finke and Katie Ledecky. The men’s team won both the 500 free (Ahmed Hafnaoui) and 1650 free (Ahmed Jouaudi) at the recent men’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
The loss of the addition of Kim to the roster will be offset, for next season at least, by the addition of U.S. Olympian David Johnston, who is planning to transfer from Texas after a medical redshirt season.
I think the REAL reason he chose to stay at home was because of the mad man of the US. I would not risk coming to the US for anything.
Hes likely afraid to come here with the current climate. Why come to the US and face the racism, discrimination, the possibility of being locked up and deported for a speeding ticket?
Not related but figured I would ask here. Anyone know what’s going on with Shareef Elaydi’s recruitment and why he hasn’t committed yet?
heard he visited texas iu and cal in the fall but thats all i know
Why would he come, just to get deported by i.c.e. don’t forget how the Korean workers in Georgia got disrespected for building a work site, so that Americans could have jobs.
The word commitment is used improperly on this website more than any other.
It’s just what they’re called grandpa, get over it.
🤣
Kim Junwoo’s LCM PBs are faster and more recent than those written. At last Queensland Champs (December 2025) Kim Junwoo swam 3.48.11 in the 400 free, 7.49.90 in the 800 free and 14.58.68 in the 1500 free Meet Results: 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships
He decided not to come because he received a big offer from a professional team.
Korean swimming system is so focused on training that athletes often don’t get the same level of academics. So even if they come to college, they can fall behind as students.
If they weren’t going to come, they shouldn’t have made a verbal commitment in the first place. That way, other American swimmers could’ve had the opportunity to take that spot
No best time in the 400 or 1500 free since summer of 2023 weekend he was 15 or 16 always makes me wonder what’s going on. On the other hand his SCM best times are from fall 2024 and are comparatively a little better than his LCM bests.
As wrote in the comment above, Kim Junwoo swam LCM PBs last December
Kim Junwoo’s LCM PBs are faster and more recent than those written. At last Queensland Champs (December 2025) Kim Junwoo swam 3.48.11 in the 400 free, 7.49.90 in the 800 free and 14.58.68 in the 1500 free Meet Results: 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships – Nuotofan