2018-2019 short track season recap: Korea

Once again this season South Korea was a force to be reckoned with on the short track speed skating international circuit.

By Jackob Savard

Photo: Martin Holtom

Here’s our recap of what has been another great season for team Korea on the short track international circuit.

Choi Min Jeong and Kim Ji Yoo led the ladies’ team

Even if her season started slowly, Choi Min Jeong was very strong in the second half of it. The 20-year-old, who’s already a three time overall world champion, ended her season in 3rd position of the 1500m World cup ranking. She wasn’t able to defend her overall world champion title but still won the 1500m and finished 2nd overall at the championships. Her 19-year-old teammate Kim Ji Yoo, last year’s world junior champion, had an excellent season concluding it in 2nd place of the 1500m ranking and finishing 5th overall in Sofia, Bulgaria at the World championships. Other Korean skaters such as Kim Geon Hee and Noh Ah Rum had good results for Korea this season.

A successful men’s squad

We saw once again a diversified Korean men’s team this season.  Lim Hyo Jun, Lee June Seo, Kim Gun Woo, Park Ji Won and Hong Kyung Hwan all ended in the top 3 of at least one distance in the overall World cup classification. All three individual World cup distances were won by a Korean as Lim won the 500m ranking, Park the 1000m and Kim the 1500m. Korea’s success continued at the World championships as Lim Hyo Jun claimed his first overall world champion title winning three of the four distances of these championships. His teammates Hwang Dae Heon and Lee June Seo respectively finished 2nd and 6th at this important competition. Hwang was crowned world champion on the 500m for a second year in a row. Team Korea also won the 5000m relay world champion title to end what was another great season for them.

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