The Korean national team entering the opening ceremony of the 47th International Skills Olympics. / Provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor

South Korea Secures Second Place at the 47th International Skills Olympics

South Korea’s team achieved an impressive second place overall at the 47th International Skills Olympics held in Lyon, France.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Skills Olympics, which concluded on September 15th (local time), saw South Korean athletes win 10 gold medals, 13 silver medals, 9 bronze medals, and 11 excellence medals.

The overall score, based on the official index of the Organizing Committee of the WorldSkills Competition, was 232 points, ranking South Korea second after China (240 points). Taiwan ranked third, Switzerland fourth, and France fifth.

South Korea demonstrated exceptional strength in the manufacturing technology and engineering fields, including CNC lathes, welding, industrial control, mobile robotics, additive manufacturing, and robot system integration, securing a total of six gold medals in these fields.

In addition to its success in manufacturing and engineering, South Korea also excelled in the service sector, winning in the skin care industry, as well as in the fashion and art sectors, including clothing design and graphic design.

Lee Woo-young, Chairman of the Korean Committee for the International Skills Olympics (Chairman of the Korea Human Resources Development Institute for Industry), expressed his pride in the Korean national athletes, stating, “The institute will take the lead in fostering technical talents who will lead the future and open a renaissance of skilled technology in Korea.”

Winners of the Skills Olympics will receive prize money of 67.2 million won for a gold medal, 56 million won for a silver medal, and 39.2 million won for a bronze medal, as well as a medal of honor.

The next International Skills Olympics is scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China in 2026.