Kang Hyun-sook, the former chair of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) referees, passed away on July 22 due to illness. She was 71 years old.
A graduate of Muhak High School, Kang joined the Woori Bank team in 1973 and played for the national team until her retirement in 1980. Standing at 172 cm, she was recognized for her skills as a point guard, excelling in both game management and scoring.
From 1978, she served as the captain of the national team, leading them to a gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games that year. In 1979, she contributed to Korea's runner-up finish at the World Women's Basketball Championship and was named to the tournament's All-Star Five.
She concluded her national team career with a victory, as Korea defeated China 101-68 in the finals of the 1980 Hong Kong Asian Women's Basketball Championship. Following this tournament, she retired from the court.
After retirement, Kang held various positions, including game supervisor and financial chair for the Women's Korean Basketball League (WKBL), as well as technical director for the Korean Basketball Association. She also served as the team leader for the women's national team at the 2010 World Championship and the 2011 Asian Championship.
In September 2011, she was appointed as the KBL referee chair, becoming the first woman to hold this position in men's professional basketball. At the time, KBL President Han Sun-kyo noted that Kang was selected for her reputation as a "upright and principled person" amid challenges in appointing referees due to club interests.
She is survived by her husband, Kim Jong-wan, and daughters Kim Ui-jeong, Kim Ui-jin, and Kim Ui-min. Her funeral is being held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, with the burial scheduled for 5 a.m. on July 24.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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