Kim Min-seok, a South Korean middle- and long-distance speedskater who changed citizenship to Hungary, said he made the decision to keep his career going.
Kim was eliminated after finishing 12th in the second semifinal heat of the men’s mass start at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Milan speedskating stadium on Saturday (Korea time).
Afterward, he told reporters, “Skating was my whole life,” adding, “I decided it would be hard to continue my career if I couldn’t train for two years. I thought about it a lot.”
He said he “really loved” South Korea and agonized “day and night” because he had competed as a national team athlete, but added, “I loved skating more, so I looked for a way to keep competing.”
Kim caused a drunk-driving accident in July 2022 at the national training center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province. In August, the Korea Skating Union’s Sports Fairness Committee suspended him for 18 months. In a May 2023 court ruling, he was fined 4 million won, and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee imposed a two-year suspension of his national team eligibility.
He could have entered the 2025-2026 national team trials and still competed at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics as a South Korean athlete, but chose to change citizenship. He said he believed that if he went two years without training while unemployed, he would not be able to compete with national team status.
Lee Cheol-won, a South Korean coach with Hungary’s national skating team, proposed the switch, and Kim changed nationality along with short-track skater Moon Won-jun.
Kim did not post strong results at these Games. He finished seventh in his main event, the men’s 1,500 meters, placed 11th in the 1,000, and was eliminated in the mass start semifinals.
“I have no regrets because I gave everything I could,” he said. “I learned a lot through this competition, and I believe I can grow more.” He also said that, during preparations, he was able to train with the South Korean team thanks to consideration from South Korea head coach Baek Cheol-ki.
Kim became one of South Korea’s top speedskaters after winning a silver medal in the men’s team pursuit with Lee Seung-hoon (retired) and Jeong Jae-won (Gangwon Provincial Office) at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and a bronze medal in the men’s 1,500.
He called PyeongChang “an honorable stage” and said it would remain unforgettable. Looking ahead to the 2030 Alps Winter Olympics, he said, “Of course I’ll prepare,” adding, “I’ll work to stand on the podium again.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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