President Lee Says "World's Strongest Short Track, Truly Proud"... Kim Gil-li Wins Gold, Choi Minjeong Silver, Men's Relay Silver

President Lee's Message on Social Media
President Lee: "We Will Fully Support You So You Can Demonstrate Your Capabilities to the Fullest"

On February 21, President Lee Jaemyung congratulated the Korean national team for winning medals in short track speed skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics via Facebook, stating, "South Korea is the world's strongest in short track speed skating. I am truly proud."

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee first sent his congratulations to athletes Hwang Daeheon, Lee Jungmin, Lee Junseo, Lim Jongwon, and Shin Dongmin, who won the silver medal in the men's 5,000m relay, saying, "I send you a big round of applause," and added, "Following the medal in the women's relay, the men's relay has also added a medal, once again proving that South Korea is the strongest in the world." The Korean men's national team won the silver medal behind the Netherlands in the men's 5,000m relay final held on February 20 (local time).

In the women's 1,500m, Kim Gil-li won the gold medal and Choi Minjeong won the silver medal. President Lee said, "Kim Gil-li has now stood once again on the highest step of the podium, having won three medals at this Olympics," and evaluated it as "an astonishing achievement in her very first Olympic appearance." Kim added the women's 1,500m gold medal to her previous women's relay gold medal and women's 1,000m bronze medal at this Games.

Regarding Choi Minjeong, President Lee said, "With this silver medal, Choi Minjeong has achieved her seventh Olympic medal in total, setting a new record as the Korean athlete with the most Olympic medals," and added, "Her journey of firmly holding the center of the national team at every competition with unwavering skill and indomitable fighting spirit is in itself a proud chapter in the history of Korean sports."

President Lee added, "The government will actively support our athletes so that they can train in a stable and systematic environment and fully demonstrate their capabilities," and said, "We will further strengthen the foundation that enables them to compete with confidence on the international stage."