Kyobo Life Insurance Cup 'Dream Tree Sports Competition' Opens... 42 Years of Ongoing Youth Sports Support

Opened in Jecheon, Chungbuk; Over 5,000 Elementary School Athletes Compete Nationwide
Showcasing Skills in Seven Fundamental Disciplines Including Gymnastics, Track and Field, and Judo
More Than 155,000 Participants to Date, Producing Over 500 National Representatives

Kyobo Life Insurance announced on July 13 that it held the opening ceremony for the 42nd Kyobo Life Insurance Cup Dream Tree Sports Competition at Jecheon Indoor Gymnasium in Chungbuk on July 9, officially kicking off a month-long sporting event.

National gymnastics team members, including Seo Yeojeong, are holding a signing event at the opening ceremony of the 42nd Kyobo Life Insurance Cup Dream Tree Sports Competition, held on the 9th at the Jecheon Indoor Gymnasium in Chungbuk.

The Kyobo Life Insurance Cup Dream Tree Sports Competition, which began in 1985 and marks its 42nd edition this year, is the only nationwide comprehensive youth sports competition in Korea organized by a private entity. It was established to discover and nurture young athletic talents at an early stage and to promote basic sports disciplines. To date, more than 155,000 student athletes have participated in this competition, with over 500 of them advancing to become national representatives, elevating the status of Korean sports on the international stage.

This year's competition brings together around 5,000 elementary school athletes from across the country, who will compete in seven fundamental disciplines: gymnastics, track and field, judo, tennis, skating, table tennis, and swimming, showcasing the skills they have honed so far.

Notably, this year's opening ceremony was attended by about 20 national athletes, including Ye Seojeong and Heo Woong, who held an autograph session and met with younger athletes in person, sharing their dreams and encouragement. They emphasized to the young competitors the importance of learning from the experience and maintaining sportsmanship—respecting one's opponents—over simply winning or losing.

Within and outside the sports community, the Kyobo Life Insurance Cup Dream Tree Sports Competition is credited with making a significant contribution to the development of Korean sports. Rather than focusing on popular sports or supporting star athletes, Kyobo Life Insurance has consistently supported youth athletes in basic sports disciplines for over 40 years, underscoring its profound public value. Yeo Hongcheol, Secretary General of the Korea Gymnastics Association, stated, "Supporting youth athletes in basic sports disciplines for over 40 years would not be possible without a firm corporate philosophy. Kyobo Life Insurance's continuous support serves as a solid foundation for the advancement of sports in Korea."

In recognition of these efforts, Shin Changjae, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Kyobo Life Insurance, received a plaque of appreciation from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee last year for the company's four decades of support for youth sports.

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