Lee: "A Challenge Beyond Limits, Greatly Moved the Nation"... Paralympic Athletes' Luncheon at the Blue House

"Each and Every One of You Is Truly Admirable"

Athletes Request Improvements in Training Infrastructure and Working Conditions

Team Presents President Lee and First Lady with Signed Uniform

Braille Menus Provided... Cake Inspired by C

On March 20, President Lee Jaemyung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung invited the national team for the '2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics' to a luncheon at the State Guest House in the Blue House to encourage and congratulate them. President Lee praised the team, saying, "The athletes, who achieved the best-ever results, have delivered great inspiration and pride to the people." He personally thanked not only the athletes but also the managers, coaches, wax technicians, trainers, and competition support staff such as those from the meal support center. He also promised to expand government-level support for sports for people with disabilities.

Yonhap News Agency

Present at the luncheon were Kim Yoonji, who set the record for the most individual medals in a single event in both the Summer and Winter Olympics and Paralympics, as well as Lee Jehyeok, who won the first-ever medal in Winter Paralympics snowboarding, and Baek Hyejin and Lee Yongseok, who continued the legacy by winning a medal in wheelchair curling for the first time in 16 years. The event was also attended by Choi Sara, who overcame a knee injury to finish all five events, and Park Chaei, the first Korean athlete to compete in the women's sit-ski alpine event.

In his opening remarks, President Lee said, "Through your challenges that surpassed limits, you gave deep inspiration and pride to our people and to people around the world. Each and every one of you is truly a source of pride." He went on to say, "You have achieved the best results ever, surpassing the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics," specifically mentioning Kim Yoonji's gold medal, Lee Jehyeok's bronze medal, and the wheelchair curling team's medal after 16 years. President Lee also pledged, "We will provide active support so that people with disabilities can gain confidence, a sense of achievement, and lead healthy lives through sports."

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Kim Yoonji said, "I am happy because I finished the competition with no regrets whatsoever," and expressed gratitude to everyone in para-sports administration who helped the athletes focus only on their competitions. Wheelchair curling athlete Lee Yongseok remarked, "With the Taegeukgi on our chests, we came together as one team and made new history," and led a toast with "Republic of Korea," to which the attendees responded with "Fighting."

During the closed-door luncheon, Choi Sara shared how she overcame a cruciate ligament rupture just a month before the competition through rehabilitation. Park Chaei spoke about the difficulties of having to commute to training facilities due to budget constraints when she was on the reserve team, and requested improved infrastructure so that athletes with disabilities can train stably. Kim Donghwan, President of the Korea Para-ski Association, called for improved treatment for guides and trainers of visually impaired athletes. Athlete Hwang Mingyu requested the creation of corporate-affiliated unemployment teams to ensure job security, while coach Son Seongrak asked for support to maintain basic livelihood benefits during overseas training camps and for expanded support for high-altitude training evaluations.

Wheelchair curling athlete couple Nam Bonggwang and Baek Hyejin presented the President and First Lady with souvenirs, including a team uniform autographed by all the athletes and a curling stone replica. After celebratory performances by Oh My Girl and singer Huh Gak, the President, First Lady, and the athletes took commemorative photos with spirited cheers, concluding the luncheon.

At the luncheon, the athletes, government officials, sports organization representatives, and Blue House staff were seated together at nine tables. The athletes wore white national team jackets with "Team Korea" printed on the back. Each table was decorated with yellow flowers and a Braille menu was also provided. The electronic screen behind the podium displayed the message, "A new history written with challenge, the Republic of Korea that shined on the world stage."

The luncheon menu featured crab salad, black truffle cream soup, Angus beef tenderloin steak with abalone, and a chestnut cream and almond biscuit cake designed to resemble "snow-covered Cortina." Deputy spokesperson Jeon Eunsu from the Blue House explained, "This event was arranged to honor the athletes who moved the nation with their indomitable fighting spirit, and all the athletes who participated in the competition attended and made the occasion special. The dessert cake, inspired by the snowy fields of Italy traversed by the athletes and the snow-capped mountains of the host city Cortina d'Ampezzo, drew particular attention from the attendees."

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