56 Korean Competitors Aim for Overall Victory at WorldSkills: "Confident in Gold"

The Korean national team participating in the 48th WorldSkills Competition held a rally in Shanghai, China, to reaffirm their commitment to winning their 20th overall championship. At the opening ceremony on the 22nd, the athletes entered waving the Korean flag, while the competitors in the mechatronics category expressed strong confidence in taking the gold medal.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Korea Industrial Manpower Corporation on September 23, Kim Joungho, chairperson of the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, Deputy Minister Kwon Changjun of the Ministry of Labor, and Lee Byung-hoon, president of the Korea Industrial Manpower Corporation, held a support rally the previous day in Shanghai for the Korean national team.

The South Korean national team is entering to participate in the 48th WorldSkills Competition held on the 22nd in Shanghai, China. Korea Industrial Human Resources Corporation

Chairperson Kim encouraged the athletes, saying, "You only need to shake off the pressure of having to win a gold medal and fully demonstrate the skills you have been honing. Representing Korea is something to take pride in, so do your best." He added, "I heard that if things go well, we will win this year, and even if not, we can still take the runner-up spot," offering his support to the team.

Deputy Minister Kwon stated, "Seeing our athletes, my heart beats faster and fills with pride even more than when I watch Asian Games competitors," and added, "I hope this will not only be a time to make Korea shine but also a turning point in your personal lives."

President Lee urged the athletes to bring achievements for both the people and their families ahead of Chuseok. He said, "You are the best national athletes in each field. I hope you will display your refined skills and bring good news to the nation."

The team reaffirmed their determination by chanting slogans focused on skills, challenge, and victory. Together they shouted, "Skills at their best, challenges with passion, victory is ours," followed by, "Go Korea!"

During interviews held before the opening ceremony, Samsung Electronics’ Ju Hongjae and Jung Sehoon, who are competing in the mechatronics category, shared their ambitions. The mechatronics event requires a two-person team to assemble structures and write programs based on blueprints to operate systems akin to small factories. When asked about their chances for the gold medal, Ju responded confidently, "We are ready."

In the opening ceremony held that afternoon, national teams marched in alphabetical order. The Korean team wore blue jeogori jackets, deep blue pants, and hanbok skirts, parading proudly while waving the national flag. Out of 64 total events, 56 Korean athletes are competing in 50 different trades. The ceremony also included a performance highlighting China’s technological development, featuring several humanoid robots dancing with humans, drawing widespread attention.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a congratulatory address delivered on his behalf by State Councilor Sun Chunlan, emphasized that the WorldSkills Competition serves as a platform for technical exchange and cooperation linked to industrial development. President Xi expressed his commitment to encouraging more workers, especially young people, to walk the path of success through skills, and reaffirmed the will to promote international cooperation through WorldSkills.

This year’s competition runs from September 22 to 27 in Shanghai, China, with the Korean national team competing in 50 skill categories.

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