Fan Wang

Hong Wang and Yu Deng became the first Chinese citizens to receive the Fields Medal, sharing the 2026 award with John Pardon and Jacon Tsimerman. Wang was recognized with collaborator Josh Zahl for work resolving a three-dimensional version of the Kakeya conjecture, first posed by Soichi Kakeya in 1917, while Deng was honored for research addressing David Hilbert’s sixth problem concerning the link between microscopic particle motion and macroscopic systems. Wang, who teaches in the United States and France, is also the third woman to win the medal. Their achievement sparked widespread celebration in China and renewed attention to the country’s development of mathematical talent through international education and research careers.

South Korea’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup led to the resignation of head coach Hong Myung‑bo and calls from President Lee Jae Myung for an investigation into the team’s failures. Critics cite organisational problems and alleged favouritism in Hong’s controversial appointment. The national team’s fan club demanded his permanent departure from football, while authorities heightened security after an online death threat against him.