'Drinking naturalization' Kim Min-seok apologizes to Hungarian people, saying, "Failed to win the first medal, sorry for disappointment → Retry 4 years later." [Milan Olympics]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Min-seok (27), who was at the center of controversy by choosing to naturalize Hungary after a drunk driving accident in Korea, bowed to the Hungarian people for failing to win a medal after completing the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics.

Kim Min-seok finished all schedules of the Olympics after the speed skating mass start competition at the Milan Speed Skating Stadium on the 22nd (Korea time), but failed to win a medal. Kim Min-seok, who won two consecutive Winter Olympics bronze medals when he was a member of the South Korean national team in the past, was seventh in 1,500m and 11th in 1,000m in the main event. At the mass start held on the 22nd, he failed to win a ticket to the final round, which was given to the top eight in 12th place.

Kim Min-seok, who finished the game, reportedly expressed disappointment in an interview with the Hungarian state news agency (MTI). According to the Hungarian news portal Index, Kim Min-seok said, "I did my best and poured everything into it, but I think there was a mistake in setting up the training program for the Olympic season," adding, "I pushed too much, which backfired when my speed fell in practice."

Most of all, it was the "apology" delivered to the Hungarian people and the Hungarian Ice Federation, who accepted him. Kim Min-seok said, "I remember being on the podium in Pyeongchang eight years ago and Beijing four years ago, so I can never be satisfied with my current performance of seventh place. I'm sorry for disappointing those who trusted and supported me until the end," he said.

"I wanted to give you the first Olympic medal in Hungarian speed skating history, but I didn't achieve my goal as a result. I sincerely apologize to the federation and the Hungarian people," he added.

Earlier in July 2022, Kim Min-seok caused a stir by causing a drunk driving accident in Jincheon Training Center. After drinking at a restaurant near the athletes' village, he drove his vehicle into the athletes' village and crashed into the boundary stone of the sidewalk block. In the end, Kim Min-seok was suspended for two years by the Korea Skating Union. At the end of the disciplinary action in July 2024, he announced the naturalization of Hungary instead of returning to the Korean national team, drawing strong criticism as an "escape naturalization."

Even though he finished the competition empty-handed, Kim chose to try again at the Winter Olympics. Finally, he expressed his intention not to stop challenging until the 2030 French Alps Winter Olympics, saying, "Although my performance was not good this season, I will continue my career for the next four years."

Meanwhile, Kim Min-seok also explained the reason for naturalization in an interview with Korean reporters. According to News 1 and Newsis, Kim Min-seok told the field reporters, "Skating is everything in my life," adding, "I thought it would be difficult to continue my career if I could not train for two years." I made the decision thinking only about being able to participate in the Olympics," he said.

"I loved Korea very much and played for the Korean national team, so I struggled day and night until the decision to naturalize," he said, emphasizing, "It was a choice to find a way to continue skating."

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*This content was translated by AI.