(Olympics) Lee congratulates snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum on silver medal win

▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting in the southeastern city of Changwon on Feb. 6, 2026. (Yonhap)

(Olympics) Lee-snowboard medalist

(Olympics) Lee congratulates snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum on silver medal win

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday congratulated alpine snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum on winning a silver medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

"I extend my warm congratulations," Lee wrote on Facebook after Kim clinched the silver medal in the men's parallel giant slalom, earning South Korea's first medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday (local time).

Lee noted that Kim won the medal in his fourth Olympic appearance since making his debut at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia's Sochi, crediting years of perseverance and dedication.

"This medal is even more meaningful as it is the 400th Olympic medal in the history of the Republic of Korea," Lee said, noting it is also the country's second silver medal in a snow-based event.

Lee expressed hope that Kim's achievement would inspire courage and confidence among other Korean athletes, adding that he would continue to cheer for their performances together with the Korean people.

Kim, 37, became the second South Korean to win an Olympic snowboarding medal, following Lee Sang-ho, who earned silver in the men's parallel giant slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

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