A combined 971 athletes from 183 countries on June 24 attend the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships at Taekwondowon in Muju-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province. (WTF)
By Yoon Sojung
The 2017 World Taekwondo Championships on June 24 opened at Taekwondowon in Muju-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province, with 971 competitors from 183 countries to participate in the seven-day tournament that ends June 30.
The Seoul-based World Taekwondo (formerly the World Taekwondo Federation) has hosted the international championship bi-annually since the first edition in 1973 in Seoul.
This year’s championship is the largest in the event's history with some 17 countries to compete for the first time, including Togo, Tanzania, South Sudan and Djibouti.
Another milestone is that a delegation from the North Korea-affiliated International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) participated in the opening ceremony. The delegation is composed of North Korean taekwondo officials and athletes led by Chang Ung, a North Korean member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and ITF President Ri Yong-son.
The delegation in the opening ceremony gave taekwondo demonstrations that included self-defense and breaking. They will also present a joint performance with World Taekwondo's demonstration team on the final day of the event June 30.
President Moon Jae-in on June 24 welcomes the North Korean ITF delegation in his congratulatory speech during the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships at Taekwondowon in Muju-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province. (Cheong Wa Dae)
President Moon Jae-in welcomed the delegation’s visit and emphasized the meaning of reconciliation and integration through sports, saying “Sports are the most powerful tools of peace that can eliminate all barriers and gaps.”
“It is a pleasure that the new administration’s first inter-Korean sports exchange is taking place through this championship competition,” he added.
“In particular, the demonstration by the ITF in a WTF competition held in Korea is a historic first.”
President Moon spoke of what the delegation's visit could do for inter-Korean ties, saying, “The harmony and amity between the two Federations will of course be of great assistance for the reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas and peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
“I hope the achievements made here in the field of Taekwondo may be carried over to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next year.”
President Moon Jae-in (second from right) on June 24 meets a North Korean ITF delegation in the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships at Taekwondowon in Muju-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province. (Cheong Wa Dae)
The World Taekwondo demonstration team of South Korea on June 24 gives a breaking demonstration in the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships at Taekwondowon in Muju-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province. (WTF)
arete@korea.kr
Most popular
- 2 Egyptian sisters reflect on 10 years as Honorary Reporters
- Korea Welcome Week for foreign tourists set from April 25-May 16
- Actor Bae Doona's first romcom in decade to hit theaters in May
- Korea.net welcomes 2025 K-influencers, Honorary Reporters
- 2025 Honorary Reporter class pledges to spread 'real Korea' worldwide
