Recently, the South Korean sports world once again exposed the exciting news, after Ahn Hyun-so and Lim Hyo-jun, another Korean speed skating star will change his nationality. He is the Winter Olympics medalist Kim Min-seok. The successive appearance of celebrities changing their nationality has aroused heated discussions and attention from netizens and the media.
Ahn Hyun-so, a former South Korean speed skater. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Ahn Hyun-so represented the South Korean delegation and won three gold, one bronze and four medals. In 2010, because of the Olympic trials, Ahn Hyun-so had a conflict with the Korean Ice Federation. Ahn Hyun-so then chose to become a Russian citizen. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Ahn Hyun-so represented the Russian delegation. Helped the Russian delegation win three gold, one bronze and four medals. After retiring, Ahn Hyun-so coached the Chinese short track speed skating team at the last Winter Olympics. led the Chinese team to win two gold, one silver and one bronze medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics. He is currently at home.
Lim Hyo-jun is also a former famous Korean short track speed skater. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Lim Hyo-jun represented the South Korean delegation. He won the gold medal in the 1500m and the bronze medal in the 500m. At the 2019 World Championships, Lin Xiaojun won five championships in the men's individual all-around, 1000m, 1500m, super 3000m and 5000m relay, achieving five crowns in a single World Championships. Later, because of the "pants pulling" incident with teammate Huang Daxian, he was sued by the other party for homosexuality. After an investigation, the Korean Ice Federation imposed a one-year ban on Lim Hyo-jun, during which he was banned from participating in any activities related to short track speed skating. In June 2020, Lin Xiaojun transferred to China.
Now Kim Min-seok is only 24 years old. In 2018 and 2022, he won a bronze medal in the 1500m. In July 2022, Kim Min-seok hit a boundary stone on the side of the road because of drunk driving. Expelled from the South Korean national team. The Korean Ice Federation imposed an 18-month ban on Kim Min-seok. In May last year, the Korean Sports Association's punishment for Kim Min-seok was upgraded to a two-year disqualification for national representation and a fine of 4 million won. It is reported that Kim Min-seok, who was suspended from the season, has been in a supernumerary state. Training does not work properly. Although the ban expires in time for the Milan Winter Olympics. However, with the current state, it is difficult to guarantee that he will be able to qualify for the Olympic Games.
The country where Kim Min-seok transferred his nationality is Hungary. After the two brothers, Liu Shaolin and Liu Shaoang, became Chinese nationals, the current situation of the Hungarian speed skating program is worrying. The addition of Kim Min-seok will make up for the vacancy left by the Liu Shaolin brothers to a certain extent. But for the Korean Ice Federation, forcing away the three famous players is worth reflecting on.