Korean speed skater Kim Min-seok (23), a male mid- and long-distance leader, has opened the way to participate in the next Winter Olympics. Kim Min-seok, who was charged with drunk driving, was sentenced to a fine, but fortunately he was able to compete in the 2026 Olympics.

On the 9th, Chief Judge Lee Soo-hyeon of the 1st Criminal Division of the Cheongju District Court sentenced Kim Min-seok, who was handed over to trial for violating the Road Traffic Act, to a fine of 4 million won. The fine was reduced from the 8 million won fine ordered by the Cheongju District Court in March.

This difference is huge. This is because Kim Min-seok’s participation in the Olympics is determined based on the fine of 5 million won. If the fine is more than 5 million won, Kim Min-seok cannot compete in the Olympics, but if it is less than that, he can get a chance.

According to the rules of the Korea Sports Council, if a player who has been punished under Article 148-2 of the Road Traffic Act for drunk driving or other related acts is sentenced to a fine of less than 5 million won, he cannot obtain national team qualification for two years. If the amount exceeds 5 million won, the period is extended to 3 years.

On July 22 last year, Min-seok Kim had an accident at the National Athlete’s Village in Jincheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, drinking with three of his colleagues and driving his own car, crashing into a curbstone on the sidewalk block. As a result, Kim Min-seok, who was sentenced to a fine of 8 million won in March, was originally unable to compete on the stage of the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics scheduled for February of that year after gaining national qualifications after March 2026.

However, in a formal trial, the fine was reduced to 4 million won, giving him an opportunity. Min-seok Kim is suspended from qualification in May 2025, and he can go to the national team selection scheduled for October of that year.안전놀이터

However, whether the prosecution appeals is the key. If the prosecution appeals and the trial is not concluded by this year, the Olympics will be virtually canceled.

Kim Min-seok won the bronze medal in men’s 1500m speed skating at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. However, he was suspended for 1 year and 6 months by the Sports Fair Committee of the Korea Skating Federation in August of last year for drunk driving. The contract with Seongnam City Hall ended last year and is currently invincible.

Speed ​​skater Jeong Jae-woong, who also received a summary order of 8 million won for drunk driving, requested a formal trial and was fined 4 million won that day. Jung Jae-woong, the older brother of long-distance champion Jeong Jae-won (Uijeongbu City Hall), has also opened the way to participate in the next Olympics.