MILAN, Italy – South Korea’s pursuit of gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics continues, with the nation still searching for its first top-of-the-podium finish in short track speed skating. As of , after five of nine medal events, the team has secured one silver and two bronze medals, raising concerns about a potential shutout in a sport where they’ve historically dominated.
The current situation marks a stark contrast to the 2006 Winter Olympics, also held in Italy (Turin), where South Korea claimed an impressive six gold medals out of a possible eight. Ahn Hyun-soo and Jin Sun-yu were the stars of that Games, each securing three gold medals in the men’s and women’s competitions respectively. The weight of that legacy now feels distant as the team navigates a challenging competition at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Hwang Dae-heon’s silver medal in the men’s 1,500 meters offered a glimmer of hope, but the team’s performance has been largely overshadowed by the success of European skaters. Rim Jong-un took bronze in the men’s 1,000m, and Kim Gil-li added a bronze in the women’s 1,000m, but the absence of gold is becoming increasingly palpable.
A significant blow came on , with both Rim and Hwang eliminated in the heats of the men’s 500 meters, effectively ending South Korea’s chances in that event. The team’s remaining hopes rest on the men’s 5,000m relay, the women’s 3,000m relay, and the women’s 1,500m, where Choi Min-jeong, a two-time defending champion, will compete alongside Kim Gil-li starting with the quarterfinals on .
The dominance of the Netherlands has been a defining feature of the short track competition thus far. Jens van ‘t Wout has captured gold in both the men’s 1,000m and 1,500m, while Xandra Velzeboer has triumphed in the women’s 500m and 1,000m. Italy also secured gold in the mixed team relay, further highlighting the European strength in the sport.
South Korea’s streak of winning at least two gold medals in short track at every Olympics since the sport’s inclusion in 1992, and their unbroken run of securing at least one individual gold, are both now in jeopardy. The pressure on Choi Min-jeong, in particular, is immense as she attempts to continue her winning streak in the women’s 1,500m.
Hwang Dae-heon, despite his recent silver medal, has had a complex journey to this point. He acknowledged the value of the medal, stating, “I actually love accessories, and it would have been nice to have won a gold medal here. This silver medal is still very precious to me. I am proud of standing where I am today after all that I’ve gone through. I want to also thank my teammates for trusting me and helping me get here.” His path has been marked by legal battles with former teammates and injuries, including a knee injury sustained in November that threatened his participation in the Games.
The knee injury, which he admits he is still recovering from, hasn’t deterred him from looking ahead. “I have more races left here,” Hwang said. “So I will continue to get treatment and try to stay locked in for the rest of my Olympics.”
The team’s struggles come as a surprise given their historical success. South Korea is the all-time leader in Olympic short track speed skating medals with 56, but the current Games have presented a unique set of challenges. The rise of new competitors, particularly from Europe, and the team’s own internal issues have contributed to the difficulties.
The Korean team entered the Milan Cortina 2026 Games with multiple gold medal hopes, particularly from veterans like Choi Min-jeong and rising stars like Rim Jong-un and Kim Gil-li. Kim Gil-li, nicknamed “Lambogilli” for her speed, was expected to be a key contributor, and while she secured a bronze, the team is still awaiting that elusive gold.
The coming days will be crucial for South Korea. The relays offer a potential path to gold, but they will face stiff competition from the Netherlands and Italy. Choi Min-jeong’s performance in the women’s 1,500m will be closely watched, as she attempts to secure a historic third consecutive Olympic title and restore some pride to the South Korean short track program. The nation’s fans are hoping that the team can overcome their current challenges and add to their impressive Olympic legacy before the Games conclude.
