How long has it been since South Korea won a major trophy?

South Korea last won a major trophy at the 1960 AFC Asian Cup. As of today that is 65 years and 9 months ago.

South Korea Trophy Drought | Time Since Last AFC Asian Cup Win (Live Counter)

South Korea's trophy history

South Korea's only Asian Cup title in the modern era dates back to 1960, held on home soil under a round-robin format rather than a knockout final, when they finished with a perfect record to win their second consecutive continental crown (their first came in 1956). Remarkably, South Korea has not won the tournament since — a drought now stretching well over six decades despite being one of Asia's most consistently strong football nations, regularly reaching World Cups and famously hosting a run to the semifinal of the 2002 World Cup, co-hosted with Japan. South Korea came agonizingly close to ending the wait in 2015, reaching the Asian Cup final as hosts, only to lose to Australia in extra time. It remains Asia's most surprising long-term trophy drought given the country's overall footballing strength.

All major titles

Competition	Titles won
FIFA World Cup	0
AFC Asian Cup	2

Major finals

Year	Competition	Result	Detail
1956	AFC Asian Cup	Won	Round-robin format, as hosts
1960	AFC Asian Cup	Won	Round-robin format, as hosts
2015	AFC Asian Cup	Runner-up	Lost 2-1 (aet) to Australia, as hosts

Legendary players

Cha Bum-kun — South Korea's most celebrated player of the 1970s-80s era, though his career came after the country's Asian Cup titles.
Park Ji-sung — Key midfielder in South Korea's run to the 2002 World Cup semifinal, co-hosted at home.
Son Heung-min — South Korea's modern-day captain and record scorer, who has come closest to ending the Asian Cup drought in recent tournaments.

Interesting facts

South Korea's two Asian Cup titles (1956 and 1960) both came under round-robin formats, before the tournament adopted a single-final structure.
South Korea reached the World Cup semifinal in 2002 as co-hosts with Japan, the best-ever finish by an Asian nation.
South Korea lost the 2015 Asian Cup final to Australia in extra time, their closest attempt to end the drought since 1960.
South Korea has appeared at more consecutive World Cups than any other Asian nation, yet remains without an Asian Cup title since 1960.

Frequently asked questions

When did South Korea last win the Asian Cup?

1960, held on home soil under a round-robin format — their second consecutive title after 1956.

How far did South Korea go at the 2002 World Cup?

They reached the semifinal as co-hosts with Japan, the best-ever World Cup finish by an Asian nation.

How Long Since South Korea Won an AFC Asian Cup?

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