Korea's First Multi-Medal Winter Athletes to Receive Major Cash Prizes

Kim Sang-gyeom and Yoo Seung-eun, who achieved South Korea's first-ever multiple medals in snow sports at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, will receive substantial prize money from their federation.

The Korea Ski & Snowboard Association announced on February 10 that Kim will receive 200 million won and Yoo will receive 100 million won in prize money.

Kim, who claimed South Korea's first medal at these Olympics, won silver in the men's parallel giant slalom at Livigno Snow Park in Italy on February 8. Yoo earned bronze in the women's snowboard big air on February 9.

These are South Korea's first and second medals at these Olympics, and the second and third Olympic medals in Korean ski and snowboard history. This marks the first time Korean ski and snowboard athletes have won multiple medals at a single Olympics.

The association had set prize amounts ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at 300 million won for gold, 200 million won for silver, and 100 million won for bronze. No Korean athletes medaled at that time, and the prize amounts remained unchanged for these Games.

The Korea Ski & Snowboard Association, which has been chaired by Lotte Group since 2014, has steadily increased prize money for various international competitions.

The association plans to hold an award ceremony next month following the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin reportedly sent a congratulatory letter and gift to Kim for winning Korea's first medal.

In his letter, Shin wrote: "This achievement feels even more meaningful because you earned it without giving up. As someone who has long dreamed of advancing snow sports, I will continue to cheer for your future endeavors."