Cha Jun-hwan announces suspension of national team activities after dismissing retirement rumors

Figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan has announced he will suspend his national team activities and competition appearances this season. His contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Government has also concluded, drawing attention to his next move.

Cha posted on his SNS account Monday that he had spent a great deal of time reflecting on his future after finishing last season. "After much deliberation, I have decided not to continue my national team activities or competition appearances this season," he said.

Cha confirmed that his contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Government — his former team — had ended and expressed sincere gratitude to the city and its officials for their support. He added that he would carefully consider the direction of his future activities.

"I plan to do my best in what is in front of me right now, while also taking time to think carefully about what path I want to take going forward," he said. "I am truly grateful to everyone who has always cheered me on and given me strength. I hope to greet you again with good news."

Cha finished fourth in the men's singles at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics in February, setting a new best Olympic result for a South Korean male figure skater. He missed the podium by just 0.98 points but again demonstrated his world-class ability.

When retirement rumors surfaced after the Olympics, Cha pushed back, saying, "I never said it was my last dance."

He was unable to compete at the World Championships in March due to injury. Although he had received invitations to two events in the 2026-2027 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix series, his announcement has shifted attention to when he might return.

Cha has established himself as the face of South Korean figure skating, winning a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games. In April, he signed an exclusive contract with entertainment agency Fantagio and expanded his public profile by appearing in the music video for "Sparkle" by singer Roy Kim.