At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, South Korea's short track team has sent a strong signal for medal contention by getting all six of its athletes through the quarterfinals of major events. In the women's 500m qualifying heats held at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-ri, and Lee So-yeon performed exceptionally well to secure their places. Choi Min-jeong and Kim Gil-ri both finished in the top two of their respective heats, demonstrating strategic racing and maintaining their positions effectively even in challenging moments. Lee So-yeon, despite initially placing third in her heat, advanced based on time rankings due to a race incident involving an independent athlete that enabled her to qualify for the quarterfinals. The women’s 500m medal race is scheduled for the 13th.

Similarly, the men's 1000m event saw good fortune for South Korea, with Lim Jong-eon, Hwang Dae-heon, and Shin Dong-min all advancing from their heats. Lim displayed resilience by recovering his position after briefly losing the lead in his heat to finish second. Shin also made effective use of inside lines to improve his standing, securing a spot in the next round, while Hwang maintained a consistent performance to cross the line in second place as well. The performance of these athletes not only showcases the strength of the South Korean short track program but also reflects their strategic adaptations during races, crucial for success in competitive events like the Olympics.