Korea Excels in International Science Olympiad... 40% of Student Representatives from Seoul Science High School

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] South Korea's gifted science students achieved outstanding results at the International Science Olympiads. In particular, Seoul Science High School attracted attention by accounting for nearly half of the awardees.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity on the 5th, Korean students showed remarkable performances in six competitions held in July, including the International Physics, Mathematics, Informatics, Biology, Chemistry Olympiads, and the International Young Physicists' Tournament.

At the 51st International Physics Olympiad held from July 17 to 24, all five members of the Korean delegation won gold medals, ranking joint first in the overall national standings alongside the United States, China, and Russia. For example, Kim Kyung-min, a third-year student at Seoul Science High School, ranked first individually by securing first place in both the experimental and theoretical sections. Among 368 participants from 76 countries, South Korea achieved both first place in the national overall ranking and individual ranking, marking its third consecutive year at the top.

At the 62nd International Mathematics Olympiad held from July 14 to 24, all six participating students won awards, including five gold medals and one silver medal, achieving third place in the national overall ranking. At the 33rd International Informatics Olympiad held from June 19 to 28, four Korean students won one gold medal, two silver medals, and one bronze medal among 351 participants from 88 countries, placing 11th in the national overall ranking. At the 32nd International Biology Olympiad held from July 18 to 23, Korea earned one silver and three bronze medals, ranking 26th overall. At the 53rd International Chemistry Olympiad held from July 25 to August 2, Korea secured one gold and three silver medals, ranking 12th.

Although Korea did not participate in the International Young Physicists' Tournament held in Georgia due to its in-person format, it placed fifth and received a bronze medal in the online friendly tournament involving 13 countries. This year, the International Olympiads will additionally include three new fields: Earth Science, Secondary Science, and Astronomy.

Meanwhile, controversy has arisen as the 28 representative students are concentrated in a few specific schools. Seoul Science High School accounted for 12 members of the delegation?3 in physics, 6 in mathematics, 2 in informatics, and 1 in chemistry?making up 40.2% of the total. In mathematics, all six representatives were students from Seoul Science High School. Korea Science Academy of KAIST also had five representatives: four in the Young Physicists' Tournament and one in physics. Gyeonggi Science High School had four representatives. Additionally, Daegu Science High School had three, Apgujeong Middle School one, Gwangju Science High School one, Sejong Science and Arts Gifted School one, and Incheon Science and Arts Gifted School one. Only seven schools out of hundreds nationwide were included in the delegation.

Regarding this, a representative from the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity explained, "Students participating in the Olympiad education programs operated by each academic society take exams to be selected as national representatives, and those with the highest scores are chosen to participate in the International Olympiads. We understand that some schools are focusing intensively on achieving high scores in specific subjects."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.