The ‘Gangwon-Chuncheon World Taekwondo Culture Festival 2023’ (hereinafter referred to as the Culture Festival) kicked off at the main stadium of Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon on the 19th.
Hosted by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and organized by the Culture Festival Organizing Committee, more than 5,700 athletes from 63 countries will compete in four WTF-sanctioned events (World Taekwondo Beach Championships, Octagon Diamond Games, World Taekwondo Demonstration Competition, and World Para Taekwondo Open Challenge) for seven days until the 24th at Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon.
Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Yoo In-chon, Special Advisor to the President on Culture and Sports, IOC Vice President Sermien Ng, WTF President Jo Jung-won, Lee Sang-min, Chairman of the Cultural Festival Organizing Committee, Kim Jin-tae, Governor of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Shin Neo-ho, Superintendent of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han, Chuncheon City Council President Kim Jin-ho, and Kyung Min-hyun, Vice President of the Gangwon Minjoo Ilbo, attended the opening ceremony.
“On behalf of the WT, I would like to thank you for hosting the WT Headquarters in Chuncheon. We are happy to be here with you in this beautiful lakeside city.” “This cultural festival event has gathered people who love taekwondo not only from Korea but also from all over the world. In the future, WT will strive to develop the Korean national sport of taekwondo into a world sport.”
Chuncheon City Mayor Yuk Dong-han said, “Chuncheon and taekwondo have had a long-standing relationship, and now the time has come to see the fruits of that relationship, which is for Chuncheon to become the center of WTF.” “Finally, Chuncheon has embraced the WTF Headquarters, the heart of taekwondo, and now Chuncheon will face new opportunities due to taekwondo and move forward together for the prosperity of WTF.”
“I warmly welcome the relocation of the WTF Headquarters to Chuncheon on behalf of the people of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province,” said Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. “The province promises active support, and we look forward to seeing Chuncheon become the center of taekwondo around the world by hosting various international events.”
“Taekwondo, which is practiced by 213 countries, is an Olympic sport that is enjoyed by the world beyond Korea,” said Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, in his congratulatory remarks. With four competitions held simultaneously and various regional festivals organized, it can be said that it is a global festival that taekwondo people around the world enjoy together.” “Recently, Chuncheon successfully hosted the Korea Open World Taekwondo Championships. We expect this cultural festival to be successful as well, and we hope that a milestone will be set today that will make Chuncheon the home of the hearts of taekwondo people around the world.” 먹튀검증