[Exclusive] Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition to Become International Event Next Year... First Participation by Teams and Delegates from Five Countries This Year

The "Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition," named after Keimyung University (President Shin Ilhee), will be upgraded to an international competition starting next year.

The host city, Yeongju in Gyeongbuk, is expected to become a central hub for the internationalization of Korea's Taekwondo MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.

The scene of the "Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition" currently underway in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk

According to Keimyung University on July 22, the "Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition," the largest Taekwondo event in Korea, is emerging as an international competition that is attracting attention from Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia starting this year.

For the first time, the 22nd Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition, which is being held at the Yeongju National Sports Center for seven days from July 17 to July 23, is hosting four overseas teams from Bulgaria, Mongolia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Baek Moonjong, a Kukkiwon master dispatched overseas who played a key role in the development of Taekwondo in Uzbekistan and currently serves as Vice President of Uzbekistan National University of Physical Education and Sports, is also attending the event.

Baek Moonjong stated, "Marking its 22nd year, the Keimyung University President's Cup Taekwondo Competition is fully qualified to be an international event in terms of competition management and other aspects. Next year, athletes from Uzbekistan will also participate, and I will work together with Taekwondo masters from around the world to further elevate the status of Korean Taekwondo."

Foreign athlete participating in the Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition

This competition has drawn approximately 4,500 participants, including elite Taekwondo athletes and enthusiasts from both Korea and abroad, who are competing in various events such as poomsae, breaking, and Taekwondo aerobics.

The increase in the number of enthusiast athletes from both Korea and overseas, in addition to elite athletes, has led to Yeongju being recognized as "Korea's top Taekwondo festival city" and "the largest Taekwondo tourism city in Korea."

The competition is divided into two categories: a Korea Taekwondo Association-sanctioned event and a recreational sports competition. The events are scheduled as follows: poomsae (July 17-19), recreational sports (July 20), and breaking (July 21-23).

Foreign athlete participating in the Keimyung University President's Cup National Taekwondo Competition

The Yeongju area, where the competition is being held, is expected to benefit not only in terms of Taekwondo but also through the revitalization of local sports and positive effects on the regional economy.

Lee Seonjang, the competition director and head of the Department of Taekwondo at Keimyung University, said, "I am confident that this event will serve as a catalyst for the Keimyung University Taekwondo Competition to further develop and grow on a global scale. As Yeongju is known both as 'the home of scholars' and as a 'historically significant military stronghold,' the tens of thousands of visitors drawn by the competition are expected to create new demand distinct from traditional tourists, injecting fresh vitality into the local economy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.