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President Lee Jaemyung met with members of the national team, who placed second overall at the International Skills Olympics, on the 5th and pledged to build a society where skilled technicians receive the recognition they deserve. Emphasizing the value of taking on challenges over winning medals, he described young technical talent as the future of South Korea’s manufacturing industry. At the event, speakers also called for increased government and corporate support to counter China’s aggressive efforts to develop technical talent.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a luncheon honoring the South Korean team at the Shanghai International Skills Olympics, held at the Blue House on Nov. 5, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

President Lee attended the “Luncheon Honoring the National Team for the 48th Shanghai International Skills Olympics,” held at the Blue House Guest House, together with his wife, Kim Hyekyung. “If technology is South Korea’s competitive edge, then you, the young technical talent who will develop that technology, are the future of our country,” he said.

“South Korea’s growth into a world-class manufacturing powerhouse has been made possible by the sweat and dedication of the many skilled technicians who have steadily honed their skills on the job,” President Lee said. “The government will work to create a society where more young people can pursue their dreams through technology, and where people with outstanding skills receive the recognition and respect they deserve.”

The South Korean team sent 54 competitors to the competition held in Shanghai, China, last September. They won 4 gold medals, 14 silver medals, 6 bronze medals, and 16 Medallions for Excellence, placing second overall.

President Lee also highlighted the special significance of the hardships and achievements the competitors had experienced. He recounted the stories of competitors who helped South Korea win its fifth consecutive title in the web technologies event, one who overcame difficult family circumstances to win a medal, and others who overcame injuries and slumps to fulfill their dreams of representing the country.

“Each of you has a different story, but I believe all 54 competitors challenged their limits and did an excellent job of showcasing the skills they had honed,” President Lee said. He emphasized, “Of course, some of you were disappointed not to win a medal. But I believe the sweat you shed and the time you spent challenging yourselves without giving up on the way here are more valuable than the medals.”

Concerns were also raised at the luncheon about the widening gap between South Korea and China in the competition for skilled technicians. Lee Byunghoon, head of the team and chairman of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, said, “The host country, China, devoted national resources to training young technical talent and took first place overall, while widening its lead over South Korea.” He also noted that around 400,000 visitors came to the competition venue, stressing the need to pay attention to the strong public interest in China in strengthening its competitiveness in skilled trades.

Calls were made for increased government and corporate support. Lee urged companies to expand job opportunities for medalists in domestic and international skills competitions, saying young skilled technicians should be given incentives to demonstrate their abilities. He also formally proposed that South Korea host the International Skills Olympics. Noting that South Korea hosted the competition in 1978 and 2001, Lee said, “I would like to take this opportunity to urge the government to actively consider hosting the Skills Olympics to spark a nationwide movement to promote skilled trades in this era of sweeping AI transformation.”

Team leader Lee Byunghoon speaks at a luncheon hosted by President Lee Jaemyung at the Blue House on Nov. 5 to encourage the team competing in the Shanghai International Skills Competition. Nov. 5, 2026. Yonhap News.

The luncheon was attended by members of the national team, their mentors and parents, as well as representatives of sponsoring companies, including Samsung Electronics, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Emons Furniture. Before the event, President Lee and his wife viewed projects made by the competitors. A video featuring their training, the competition, and the awards ceremony was also shown at the venue.

Park Jimin, a gold medalist in industrial control and the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), led the toast. “We will continue to represent our country and bring pride to South Korea through technology,” Park said, leading the attendees in the toast, “South Korean technology.” They responded, “At the center of the world.”

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