Gyeongsangbuk-do has achieved an overall victory at the 61st National Skills Competition for the seventh consecutive year. The Gyeongbuk delegation sent 130 competitors across 46 job categories, capturing a total of 79 medals—including 13 gold, 13 silver, and 9 bronze—becoming the first local government in the country to accomplish a seven-peat.

This year’s competition took place across six venues, including Songdo Convensia in Incheon. A total of 1,677 athletes nationwide competed in 51 job categories, such as Industrial Drone Control.

In the institutional group awards given to outstanding athlete-training organizations, Silla Engineering High School received the Silver Tower, while Geumo Technical High School and Gumi Electronic Technical High School were awarded the Bronze Tower.

Medalists received prize money and certificates. First- and second-place winners also earned benefits such as qualification to participate in the national team selection trials for the 2028 WorldSkills Competition in Aichi, Japan.

The province held a disbandment ceremony for the delegation on the 13th at the Stanford Hotel in Andong. Approximately 220 attendees—including Lee Yoon-hwa, Education Bureau Director of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education; Park Chil-gyu, head of the Gyeongbuk branch of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea; Kim Young-ho, Technical Committee Chairman of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Skills Competition Committee; Park Jong-byung, head of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch of the Korea Master Craftsmen Association; alongside guiding teachers, school principals, and other related personnel—gathered to encourage the athletes.

"I offer my deepest praise to the passion and dedication of the Gyeongbuk delegation for achieving the dazzling milestone of an overall national victory for seven consecutive years," said Lee Kyung-gon, Director-General of the Economic and Trade Bureau of Gyeongsangbuk-do. "The innovative capacity combining skilled techniques, creative ideas, and AI and advanced industrial technologies is the core of South Korea's industrial competitiveness."

He added, "I expect Gyeongbuk's skilled technicians to continue their challenges and growth as leading figures driving regional and national development."

The province plans to continue its investment in fostering technical talent and strengthening industrial competitiveness, while challenging for a historic eighth consecutive win at next year's competition. The 62nd National Skills Competition is scheduled to be held in Chungcheongbuk-do from September 22 to 28, 2027.

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