27 February 2026

Milano Cortina 2026: Team Republic of Korea

As we approach the start of wheelchair curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, we will take a look at all the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) competing. Next up is Team Republic of Korea.

Team Republic of Korea will be represented by two wheelchair curling teams: the mixed team and the mixed doubles team.

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To become the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

Korea’s wheelchair curling depth has improved since hosting the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games eight years ago. While a mixed team world title still eludes them — making the podium twice since then — the mixed doubles is where they have become the most consistent nation.

After successive years where they narrowly missed the six qualification places, Cho Min-kyong and Jeong Tae-yeong won the world title in 2024. Kim Hye-min and Jeong Jun-ho would then just miss the medals in fourth place in 2025.

Yet, neither team will represent Korea at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics in the mixed doubles. That privilege belongs to Baek Hye-jin and Lee Yong-seok.

The new faces of a top nation

Back in September 2025, they defeated Kim and Jeong in the semi-finals of the league tournament used for selecting the national team, before beating the 2024 world champions Cho and Jeong, in the final.

It means Korea have a team who have never played at the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship representing them at the Paralympics; making them a bit of an unknown entity for those scouting out their opponents.

“We do feel that we are one of the favourites, but we don’t know who will be the gold medallist,” said Lee.

“However, we already know that Korea is the top-ranked nation in the world — so we will do our best to protect that.”

“We don’t have much experience competing at the world championships, but we are preparing thoroughly,” added Baek.

“I think it will be a good result if we focus on one game after another rather than evaluating ourselves as the gold medallists.”

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Meet the teams

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Lessons from Beijing and the power of experience

While new as a duo, Baek has been here before.

Four years ago, she played lead on the mixed team that finished sixth at Beijing 2022. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic making preparations harder for players, she said she was “grateful for the experience”.

“The result itself wasn’t really the most important thing for me,” she said, “It was my first Paralympics, and it really became a starting point for me to learn a lot and think about the direction I want to go in as a player.

“I learned that the bigger the tournament is, the more important it is to go back to the basics.

“So instead of thinking too much about the result, I want to focus on my routine, take it one shot and one end at a time, and manage my mindset well.”

For Lee, he is set to make his Paralympic debut.

“Ever since I started playing, it’s been my dream to wear the Korean flag on my chest,” he said.

“So I’m really happy that this has come true, and especially, like my first time representing Korea is at the Paralympics. Of course there is some pressure, but I really feel excited and grateful.”

Family, synergy, and the spirit of competition

And the excitement extends beyond these two. Baek gets to celebrate the achievement with her husband, Nam Bongk-wang, who will play in the mixed team event, and said: “Being able to go to the Paralympics as both athletes and as a family feels really special.

“Even though we compete in different events, training together creates good synergy. We support each other a lot and always cheer each other on the most.”

The impact of Pyeongchang 2018 can be seen across wheelchair curling, which introduced a league system for its athletes, creating a competitive environment which raised playing standards across the nation.

It is hard to argue with the results: since 2018, Korea have finished outside the top six on just one occasion at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship too. Defeating two of the best mixed doubles teams in the world to get here brings them more confidence than any lack of experience internationally in this discipline.

“To beat top teams, including the world’s number one team and the current national team in 2025, we prepared really hard and studied our opponents carefully together,” said Lee.

“So, staying number one domestically and qualifying for the Paralympics gave me a lot of confidence that we can compete with any team.”

While Lee can only think about going to the Paralympics for the first time, Baek is excited to also experience the natural beauty surround Cortina, nestled away in the Dolomites. But when focus turned back on their expectations for the competition, Lee smiled, beat his chest and declared strongly, to the amusement of his teammate and translator.

“Our goal is to stand in the middle of the podium and represent Korea at the top.”

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