South Korea at the 2018 Winter Paralympics

Participation and sports

The South Korean delegation included competitors across several winter para-sport disciplines. One of the most visible team events for the country was para ice hockey, commonly called sledge hockey. In this sport, players sit on specially designed sledges and use shortened sticks both to propel themselves on the ice and to handle the puck, making it a fast, physical team competition adapted for athletes with lower-limb impairments.

As host, South Korea also took on organizational responsibilities: ensuring accessible venues, volunteer training, transportation accommodations and media coverage aimed at raising awareness of Paralympic sport. Delivering a well-run Games was important both for the athletes and for the host communities that engaged with the event.

Legacy and significance

The 2018 Winter Paralympics left a legacy of greater visibility for winter para-sports in South Korea. Local programs, adaptive-sport initiatives and public interest in Paralympic competition were among the longer-term outcomes cited by organizers and disability advocates. The unified march with North Korea also remained a notable diplomatic and cultural highlight of the Games.

• Host nation role: South Korea organized venues and accessibility measures for the Games.
• Symbolic moments: Joint Olympic-style parade with North Korea behind a unification flag.
• Sport focus: Para ice hockey (sledge hockey) was a prominent team event for South Korea.

For further context on the Games and participating nations, see broader resources on the 2018 Winter Paralympics and regional Paralympic development programs in East Asia.