Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Myung-gon has posthumously conferred the National Order of Sport Merit to late horseman Kim Hyung-chil who died while competing in the Asian Games Thursday.

The minister on Friday visited the Taerung Training Center, where a memorial altar has been set up for Kim, and delivered the “Mangho Medal" to his bereaved family.

President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook also sent flowers to the center to express their condolences.

Kim has been a member of Korea's equestrian team since the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. He won a silver medal in the team competition at the 2002 Busan Asiad.