All six members of the national team won gold medals at the International Junior Science Olympiad held from Dec. 1-9 in Bangkok, Thailand. From left are Lee Seo-jun (second year at Dankook University Middle School), Seo Ji-un (second year at Shiheung Gaon Middle School), Kim Hyeon-seong (third year at Daean Middle School), Min Gyeong-seo (second year at Jangjeon Middle School), Lim Han-gyeol (second year at Incheon Cheongna Middle School) and Kim Si-hyeon (second year at Donghae Middle School). (Ministry of Science and ICT)

By Charles Audouin

All six members of the national team for this year's International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) won gold medals at the tournament, the Ministry of Science and ICT said on Dec. 11.

Held from Dec. 1-9 in Bangkok, Thailand, the 20th edition of the tournament saw the squad of Lee Seo-jun (second year at Dankook University Middle School), Seo Ji-un (second year at Shiheung Gaon Middle School), Kim Hyeon-seong (third year at Daean Middle School), Min Gyeong-seo (second year at Jangjeon Middle School), Lim Han-gyeol (second year at Incheon Cheongna Middle School) and Kim Si-hyeon (second year at Donghae Middle School) tie for first in the competition along with Taiwan and Russia.

India finished fourth with five golds and one silver and Thailand fifth with four golds and two silvers.

A combined 308 students from 54 countries competed in the IJSO, whose theme this year was "Science for Sustainable Food and Agriculture."

Thirty theory questions on physics, chemistry and biochemistry were given worth 30 points, 17 on in-depth theory (30) and 14 on experiments (40), with three hours allotted to each section.

Korean IJSO Committee Chairperson Jung Young-seok, who led the national team at the tournament, said, "Our good result at the international tournament was thanks to the combination of our committee's strengthening of educational activities and student efforts."

caudouin@korea.kr