A South Korean Judo champion in the 2006 Asian Games will lead South Korean delegation at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics set for Aug 8, the Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) announced on Friday.

Jang Sung-ho, a 30-year-old judoist who won a gold in the 2006 Asian Games and a silver in the Athens Olympics in 2004, has been picked to bear the flag for South Korea at the opening ceremony, said a statement by the KOC.

The KOC said the 1996 Olympic marathon silver medalist, Lee Bong-joo, will captain the men's portion of the Olympic squad, while handball player Oh Soeng-ok will lead the women.

South Korea will send more than 260 athletes to the Beijing Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2008)