A score of four points in the fifth end, and a steal of three points in the seventh, made a significant contribution to the victory for South Korea’s experienced side.

"First thing, I tried to understand the ice, which was the main point for this game - first shot, first end, first everything, it is all very important [to begin with a win]," said skip Soo Hyuk Kim.

Also victorious today were Chinese Taipei, who established an early lead against New Zealand and held onto it for the duration of the game to win 8-3.

The Taiwanese scored three points in the second end, when skip Randolph Shen executed a perfect gentle tap-and-roll with his last stone, and then stole a single point in the third.  

"It was a fun game," said Shen.

"We know New Zealand well and it was enjoyable to play them.

"We got off to a good start with a three [in the second end].

"That gave us a cushion and the steal [for one point] was nice after that [in the fourth end].

"The three was huge, early in the game."

Single points in each of the third, fourth and fifth ends helped China to a 7-2 win over Kazakhstan, while Japan beat international debutants Qatar, 19-1.

"This is my first time in Korea and Asia, so I’m very happy to play here," said Qatar’s second Abdulaziz Almajid.

"It was a good game.

"I will learn from my mistakes and in the next game I will try to be better."

Play is due to continue tomorrow with sessions for the men and women.