Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young (kneeling in center) on March 17 poses for photos with Winter Paralympic medalists Lee Yongsuk, Baek Hyejin, Kim Yunji and Lee Jehyuk after giving them bouquets at the national team's disbanding ceremony at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. (Korea Paralympic Committee's Instagram account)

By Hong Angie

The national team for the just-concluded Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics on March 17 arrived at Incheon International Airport after achieving the best result in the competition in the country's history.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young, the families of the athletes and fans enthusiastically applauded wheelchair curler Baek Hyejin when she appeared as the national flagbearer at the team's disbanding ceremony.

The mood inside the gate grew more exciting when skier Kim Yunji, who won five medals in the tournament for an individual Korean record in an Olympics or Paralympics, and snowboarder Lee Jehyuk waved to the crowd.

Yang Oh Yeol, the head of the athletes' delegation, said at the ceremony, "Our team won two gold, four silver and one bronze medal, surpassing our target for the best result in our history at 13th overall."

"Significant achievements came one after another including five medals by Kim Yunji, a silver in wheelchair curling mixed doubles and a bronze by snowboarder Lee Jehyuk," he added. "This competition proved to the entire world that Korea is a global power in para winter sports."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young on March 17 gives a congratulatory speech at the disbanding ceremony for the national team for the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport.

Minister Chae presented bouquets to the athletes and said, "This meaningful accomplishment was thanks to your burning spirit of challenge."

"The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics was a monumental event that will be long remembered in Korean sports history," he added. "The government will strive to improve the para sports environment and continue support so that the fruits of this competition do not remain a temporary phenomenon."

Korea Paralympic Committee President Jung Jin-owan said, "This tournament proved our team's competititveness and potential to the whole world."

Kim Yunji, wearing the record five medals -- two gold and three silver -- she won at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, on March 17 speaks after being picked MVP of the national team at the disbanding cermony at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. (Park Dae Jin)

Kim was named team MVP for having the most impressive performance of the tournament.

"I'd like to thank everyone who worked hard for this Paralympics," she said. "I'm happy that I could show good results and performances thanks such people's efforts."

In a media interview after the ceremony, Kim added, "This result is something I never imagined when I left for the country. I returned in good spirits thanks to my coach, who told me not to dwell on medals, and the support of many people."

On her nickname "Smiling Angel," she said, "I don't know if I'm an angel but will keep striving to be a 'smiling person' who spreads positive energy."

President Lee Jae Myung on March 16 on his X account thanked and encouraged the team for exceeding limits and delivering emotional performances.

"You have written a new history in Korean para sports while giving the nation great inspiration and pride," he said. "I have no doubt that the fighting spirit of our athletes is a source of hope and dreams for others."

shong9412@korea.kr