By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- When South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na won the ladies' competition at the recent world championships in London, Canada, at least one Korean-Canadian supported her, both figuratively and literally. James Lee, an industrial designer born and bred in Vancouver, created the medal podium used at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships earlier this month. And even to untrained eyes, it was apparent that Lee's work wasn't your typical, run-of-the-mill, square-shaped podium.

By Yoo Jee-ho INCHEON, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Fresh off a dominating victory at the recent world championships, South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na said Wednesday that she will now shift her focus to the Winter Olympics next year in Sochi, Russia. Kim arrived back from London, Canada, where she overwhelmed the competition to capture the ladies' event at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships for her second world title.

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye sent a message to Kim Yu-na Sunday congratulating her on winning the ladies competition at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships in Canada earlier in the day, the presidential office said. "The confidence and beautiful performance Kim Yu-na has shown has inspired our people with great pride and emotion," Park was quoted as saying. "(Kim's performance) served as an occasion to show the world the power of South Korean skating and lifted the prestige of our people. I hope Kim will continue to shine on the world stage."

LONDON, Canada, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Kim Yu-na is back atop the figure skating world. The South Korean star captured the ladies' competition at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships here in Canada on Saturday with 218.31 points in total. She scored 148.34 points to lead Saturday's free skating, adding to her 69.97 points that also topped the field in the short program on Thursday. This is Kim's second world title, following the 2009 victory in Los Angeles. She was skating at the worlds for the first time since 2011, when she finished second.