Young Korean and Chinese athletes meet in Iksan
By OnzeActu · · 5 min read
The Korea Sports Council successfully concluded the 19th edition of the Korea-China Youth Sports Exchange in Iksan, bringing together 86 Chinese participants and their Korean counterparts around four disciplines and a rich cultural and educational program.
According to Spotvnews.
Context
김기범, as a mentor during this exchange, shared his expertise in baduk with the young athletes, emphasizing the importance of strategy and focus in sports. His participation, alongside other former champions like 김소영 and 주세혁, enriched the participants' experience, providing them with valuable perspectives on the sporting career.
Why it matters
The Korea-China Youth Sports Exchange in Iksan is a key event to strengthen ties between young athletes from the two countries. By bringing together 86 Chinese and Korean participants across various disciplines, this event promotes not only the development of sporting skills, but also intercultural friendship. Iconic figures like 김기범 and 김소영 have played a vital role in inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Key points
- Young Korean and Chinese athletes meet in Iksan.
- The Korea Sports Council successfully concluded the 19th edition of the Korea-China youth sports exchange in Iksan, bringing together 86 Chinese participants and their Korean counterparts around four disciplines and a rich cultural and educational program.
- 한-중 체육 꿈나무, 대한체육회 마련으로 전북 익산에 모여 교류의 장 열었다.
Iksan, a town famous for its sweet potatoes and jewelry in Jeollabuk Province, served as the setting for the 19th “Korea-China Youth Sports Exchange,” organized by the Korea Sports Council. The event took place from the 19th to the 25th and brought together a delegation of 86 young athletes from the city of Sanya, Hainan province (China), accompanied by a Korean contingent made up of the same number of participants.
The young athletes took part in discussions around four disciplines: badminton, basketball, table tennis and go (baduk). On the program: friendly meetings, joint training sessions and technical workshops. The official objective of the event was to promote meetings, improve sporting skills and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries through sport.
In addition to on-site activities, participants benefited from a rich cultural component to discover the history and heritage of Iksan. The delegation also participated in educational sessions led by former champions and specialists: baduk professional Kim Ki‑beom (김기범), former badminton international Kim So‑young (김소영), former table tennis international and coach Joo Se‑hyuk (주세혁) and former basketball international Jo Seong-min (조성민) took turns providing interventions as “mentors for a day” to pass on their experience to young people.
Among the highlights was the lecture given by London 2012 Olympic archery gold medalist Choi Hyun‑ju (최현주), who developed the theme “Striving towards a goal and the value of challenge,” aiming to inspire participants on perseverance and sporting ambition.
Chinese representatives welcomed the initiative, saying that seeing young people from the two nations exchange naturally through sport and build friendships was “very impressive”. They added that they were looking forward to the resumption meeting, scheduled for late November when the 86-member Korean delegation will visit Sanya.
The president of the Korea Sports Council, Yoo Seung-min (유승민), hoped that these meetings would allow young people to better understand each other and lay “the foundations for intergenerational cooperation”. He also confirmed the institution's commitment to continuing and developing this type of international exchange aimed at strengthening the global skills and friendly ties of young athletes.
This exchange illustrates active sports diplomacy between South Korea and China, focused on training the next generations of athletes and mutual enrichment through culture and sport. The return tour to Sanya in November will constitute the second act of this bilateral cooperation intended to continue.
The rest
After this exchange, a Korean delegation of 86 athletes will travel to Sanya in November to continue this collaboration. This trip is planned to strengthen established relationships and provide young athletes with a new opportunity to learn and grow together. The Korea Sports Council will continue to promote similar initiatives to develop skills and team spirit among young athletes.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in Iksan?
A large-scale sports exchange between young Korean and Chinese athletes took place in Iksan, organized by the Korea Sports Council, from 19 to 25.
Who confirmed the organization of the sports exchange?
The event was organized by the Korea Sports Council.
Why is this exchange happening now?
The objective of the event is to promote meetings, improve sports skills and strengthen the bonds of friendship between Korea and China through sports.
What are the sporting disciplines affected by the exchange?
The disciplines concerned are badminton, basketball, t
table ennis and go (baduk).
What changes have been made to participant activities?
Participants benefited from technical workshops, joint training sessions and educational sessions led by former champions and specialists.