Chuncheon Embraces the Global Taekwondo Community...Leaping Toward Becoming the 'World Center of Taekwondo'

by Lee jonggu

Published 14 Jul.2026 20:36(KST)

Official Welcoming Ceremony for the World Taekwondo Culture Festival Held
More Than 5,000 Participants from 88 Countries, Including Athlete Delegations
AI Media Facade and Kim Yeonja’s Performance Mark a Moment of Unity
WT World Cup Team Championship Men’s Team Event Also Takes Place
Chuncheon to Host Poomsae Championships and Pushes for Construction of WT Headquarters in September

Chuncheon has once again become a gathering place for the global Taekwondo community.

Yook Donghan, Mayor of Chuncheon, is giving the opening address at the "Gangwon Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Culture Festival" on the 14th at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome. Provided by Chuncheon City

On July 14, the city of Chuncheon in Gangwon-do hosted the official welcoming ceremony for the “Gangwon Chuncheon 2026 World Taekwondo Culture Festival” at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome, welcoming teams and officials from around the world. The event was attended by more than 5,000 athletes and international Taekwondo officials from 88 countries, as well as local citizens, who shared friendships and interactions that transcended borders and language, all through the medium of Taekwondo.

The welcoming ceremony opened with an AI media facade performance utilizing the entire Air Dome, a show by the “Taeguk” percussion performance group, and a pre-ceremony performance by the Cheongum Children’s Arts Group. This was followed by a congratulatory performance from singer Kim Yeonja, which was met with an enthusiastic response from both the international athletes and the citizens.

Yook Donghan, mayor of Chuncheon and the chairperson of the Chuncheon Leisure·Taekwondo Organizing Committee, stated in his address, “Taekwondo embodies not only strength, but also the spirit of courtesy, self-control, and respect for others. Even though language and culture may differ, these are invaluable values of Taekwondo that people around the world can share.”

Player and Referee Oath. Provided by Chuncheon City

He also emphasized, “Chuncheon has grown alongside Taekwondo by hosting international competitions for many years, and is now emerging as the world’s central city for Taekwondo—a place where the global Taekwondo community gathers, engages, and discusses the future.”

Yook further added, “With the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships set to be held this September, and the full-scale push for construction of the World Taekwondo (WT) headquarters, Chuncheon is poised to further establish itself as a global center for Taekwondo—where international events, education, and exchanges continuously take place. I hope this festival will be a time to share culture and friendship beyond competing for victory or defeat.”

Chuncheon is accelerating its efforts not only to attract international competitions but also to lay the groundwork for sustainable development of global Taekwondo. Following the upcoming World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in September, the city is also moving forward with the construction of a new WT headquarters within the Songam Sports Town complex, which will span a total floor area of 3,200 square meters. The headquarters will house an exhibition hall, auditorium, and a VR Taekwondo experience zone, serving as a global base facility encompassing international competitions, education, exchanges, and administrative functions.

Hot Picks Today

"A Friend Saying 'I Actually Made 200 Million Won with SK hynix' Feels Like Four Weeks' Worth of Pain?"

Meanwhile, in the men’s team event of the WT-recognized G4 World Taekwondo World Cup Team Championship Series held alongside the ceremony, China claimed victory, with Kazakhstan as the runner-up and Thailand in third place. The competition will continue with the women’s team event on July 15, followed by the mixed team event on July 16. Beginning July 18, the largest-ever “2026 Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships” will be held.