One of Lee's first major international competitions was at the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, China. Lee captured three gold medals in short track speed skating in the 1000, 1500 and 3000 metre events, a feat only bettered by countryman Sung Si-Bak during the 2007 Winter Universiade in Turin, Italy, winning every distance, the 500, 1000, 1500, 3000 and 5000 m relay. Regardless of his successes Lee shocked many observers by failing to earn a spot on South Korea's national short track team in April 2009. Later that year in September, Lee switched from short track to long track speed skating.