All 8 International Physics Olympiad trainees win gold medals… Best results in history

[Korea Education Newspaper] The Korea Foundation for Science and Creativity under the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that 10 members of the Korean delegation won medals (8 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze) at the 26th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) held in Busan, Korea from May 17 to 25.

In the competition, which was attended by 208 students from 27 countries, the Korean delegation won gold medals with students Kim Mu-yeon (Seoul Science High School, 3rd year), Park Jun-hyun (Seoul Science High School, 3rd year), Son Chae-min (Seoul Science High School, 1st year), Oh Ju-ha (Seoul Science High School, 3rd year), Lee Kwon-heon (Seoul Science High School, 3rd year), Lee Seung-jun (Seoul Science High School, 3rd year), Jung Min-kwon (Seoul Science High School, 3rd year), and Han Jun-woo (Seoul Science High School, 2nd year); silver medal with student Lee Dong-geon (Shinsung High School, 3rd year); and bronze medal with student Song Min-kyu (Hyeonam High School, 3rd year).

In particular, at this year's competition, all members of the Korean delegation selected through the International Physics Olympiad curriculum (the Challenge Team) won gold medals, achieving the best results in the history of the competition since its inception. Furthermore, silver and bronze medalists emerged from the representatives selected through a national competition for high school students nationwide (excluding science high schools and gifted schools) (the Dream Team), widely publicizing Korea's capabilities in basic science and future competitiveness in science and technology to the world.

The 26th Asian Physics Olympiad consisted of five hours each for the theoretical and experimental exams, with three theoretical questions (30 points) and two experimental questions (20 points). The theoretical exam covered the principles of balances, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic resonance phenomena, while the experimental exam covered water clocks and the estimation of unknown resistance, comprehensively evaluating problem-solving skills along with knowledge of physics.

Shin Yong-il, Chairman of the Korean Physical Society’s Korean Physics Olympiad Committee, who led the Korean delegation to the 26th Asian Physics Olympiad, stated, “I am proud of the students who have brought honor to the nation through their consistent efforts despite their busy academic schedules,” adding, “I hope they will continue to fully realize their dreams and talents in physics in the future.”

[News Source: Ministry of Science and ICT]