"SK Telecom Contributes to the Development of Fencing Powerhouse, Receives Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation"

SKT Contributes to Fencing Advancement and Professionalism as President Company of Korea Fencing Federation for 19 Years

(From left) Hwang Hee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Kim Hee-seop, Head of Communications at SK Telecom; Kim Jeong-hwan, Men's Sabre National Fencing Team Player

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] SK Telecom received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation at the ‘2nd Korea Sports Mecenat Awards Ceremony’ held on the 8th at the Imperial Palace Seoul Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The Korea Sports Mecenat Awards were established last year to encourage companies that have contributed to the development of domestic sports.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Sports Council, and the Korean Paralympic Committee evaluated contributions to expanding the sports base, improving athletic performance, and strengthening international sports competitiveness, awarding commendations to a total of eight companies this year. SK Telecom was recognized for its continuous support enabling Korean fencing to lead the global fencing community and received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation.

Since becoming the president company of the Korea Fencing Federation in 2003, SK Telecom has devoted efforts for 19 years to enhancing global competitiveness and expanding the fencing base. They strengthened overseas training camps for the national team and hosted various international competitions to provide a foundation for athletes to improve their performance. They supported the financial independence of the Korea Fencing Federation and contributed to establishing a domestic fencing foundation by hosting club amateur competitions and founding amateur fencing teams.

The Korean national fencing team, equipped with world-class capabilities, has achieved four gold medals, three silver medals, and seven bronze medals at the Olympics since 2003. They have also won numerous medals at various international competitions such as the Asian Games.

SK Telecom, together with the Korea Fencing Federation, has established a mid- to long-term strategy for fencing development and is supporting the improvement of national team athletes’ performance with the goal of the 2028 LA Olympics. To this end, they are providing systematic support by strengthening support for national team fitness trainers and medical trainers and operating a video analysis team.

Additionally, to popularize fencing domestically, they hold the President’s Cup National Club Amateur Competition annually, encouraging participation from not only the general public but also fencing enthusiasts outside the metropolitan area, thereby working to expand the fencing base.

Kim Heeseop, SK Telecom’s Communications Manager, said, “It is an honor to contribute to the development of the national fencing team that has elevated Korea’s status,” and added, “We plan to continue making various efforts with the Korea Fencing Federation to strengthen the competitiveness and expand the base of Korean fencing.”