Some 110 young practitioners of taekwondo took an oath in front of the newly inaugurated president Lee Joong-keun of the World Taekwondo Peace Corps on Wednesday in Seoul, vowing to promote peace and prosperity worldwide through the national sport.
World Taekwondo Peace Corps president Lee Joong-keun gives his inaugural speech as he launches the organization’s 16th contingent of volunteers. (Booyoung Group)
The World Taekwondo Peace Corps’ 16th contingent of sports ambassadors will be dispatched to 30 developing and underdeveloped countries Thursday for a 50-day period not only to teach the sport to children but also teach them the Korean language and introduce Korea’s culture. They will be sent to countries such as Laos, Gabon, Honduras and Kiribati.
“Please use your exceptional talent in taekwondo and inspire good, and use this opportunity to grow as global leaders,” Lee said at his inauguration ceremony. Lee is the founder and chairman of Booyoung, a construction group.
“I am proud to be your World Taekwondo Peace Corps president and will do my best to help spread love and goodwill through our national sport,” he said.
Lee recently vowed to donate $10 million to the World Taekwondo Federation, which sponsors the Taekwondo Peace Corps to support its cause over the next five years.
Established in September 2009, the Taekwondo Peace Corps has dispatched more than 1,500 taekwondo athletes to 337 countries. Booyoung has been a significant donor to the cause of promoting taekwondo overseas, financing the construction of taekwondo stadiums and education facilities in Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia, since 2006.
“Taekwondo has the potential as great content that can be shared with the world. The Culture Ministry will support the World Taekwondo Peace Corps’ mission overseas and help the young become global leaders,” said Kim Chong, vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, at the ceremony.
By Park Hyong-ki (
hkp@heraldcorp.com)
