Toward the end of the 1980s, Lee began appearing internationally for South Korea while still living and training in the United States. She won the bronze medal at the 1989 Golden Spin of Zagreb and competed at six World Championships, achieving her best result, 17th, in 1990. She was selected to represent South Korea at the 1994 Winter Olympics and finished 21st. She received special media attention for being in the same practice group as Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding.