Culture Ministry Holds Welcome Ceremony for Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics Team at Incheon Airport

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that a welcome ceremony for the Republic of Korea delegation to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics will be held on the afternoon of March 17 at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport.

Choi Hwiyeong, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is scheduled to personally visit Incheon International Airport to greet the national team.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwee-Young Choi is taking a commemorative photo with athlete Yoonji Kim after delivering a congratulatory message from President Jae-Myung Lee at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Italy on the 13th (local time). Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

This event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Paralympic Committee, will be attended by Jung Jinwan, President of the Korea Paralympic Committee, Yang Ohyeol, Head of the national team, over 100 athletes and their family members. The ceremony will include a report on the team's performance at the Games, the return of the team flag, the presentation of bouquets, and the announcement of the most outstanding athlete of the Games. Minister Choi will present bouquets to the athletes and express his gratitude and encouragement for their challenges that went beyond their limits.

The Korean delegation achieved its best-ever performance at the Winter Paralympics, ranking 13th overall with 2 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medals. Kim Yoonji set a new record for the most medals won at a single Winter Paralympic Games by a Korean athlete, earning five medals, including becoming the first Korean woman to win a gold medal at a Winter Paralympics. Lee Jehyeok won Korea's first-ever Paralympic snowboard medal, while Paik Hyejin and Lee Yongseok secured a wheelchair curling medal for the first time in 16 years.

Minister Choi stated, "The indomitable spirit and remarkable achievements of our athletes have set a new milestone in the history of Korean winter sports. I extend my deepest respect to the athletes, their families, coaches, and everyone who supported them for bringing pride to the nation with the best performance ever. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to provide policy support to ensure that our athletes can pursue their dreams in an even better environment."

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