DPRK Wrestlers Back Home from Asian Championship [KCNA] (English | Korean)

Pyongyang, August 1 (KCNA) -- DPRK wrestlers returned home Thursday after participating the 2013 Asian Junior Wrestling Championship held in Mongolia. They were greeted at Pyongyang Railway Station by Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials in the field of sports and families of the wrestlers. -0- 아시아청소년레스링선수권대회에 참가하였던 조선선수들 귀국 (평양 8월 1일발 조선중앙통신) 몽골에서 진행된 2013년 아시아청소년레스링선수권대회에 참가하였던 조선선수들이 1일 귀국하였다. 평양역에서 조선로동당 중앙위원회 비서 최태복과 체육부문 일군들,가족들이 선수들을 맞이하였다.(끝)

DPRK Wrestlers Proved Successful at Asian Championship

Pyongyang, July 28 (KCNA) -- DPRK wrestlers bagged four gold medals at the 2013 Asian Junior Wrestling Championship now under way in Mongolia. The championship which started on July 25 brought together 350 wrestlers from 14 countries and regions including the DPRK, Mongolia and Thailand. DPRK Ri Se Ung and Kim Kum Hyok came first at the men's 42 kg greco-roman event and men's 42 kg freestyle event and DPRK Yon Jo Hwa and Kim Son Hyang in women's 43 kg and 46 kg freestyle events. Kim Han Song won a silver medal in men's 50 kg freestyle event and Ri Jin Ok and Kim Yu Song bronze medals in the women's 49 kg and 52 kg freestyle events. -0- 조선선수들 아시아청소년레스링선수권대회에서 4개의 금메달 쟁취 (평양 7월 28일발 조선중앙통신) 몽골에서 진행되고있는 2013년 아시아청소년레스링선수권대회에서 조선선수들이 4개의 금메달을 쟁취하였다. 25일에 시작된 선수권대회에는 조선과 몽골,타이 등 14개 나라와 지역의 선수들 350명이 참가하였다. 조선의 리세웅,김금혁선수들은 남자고전형 42㎏급과 남자자유형 42㎏급에서,연조화,김선향선수들은 녀자자유형 43㎏급과 46㎏급에서 각각 제1위를 하였다. 남자자유형 50㎏급에서 김한성선수는 은메달을,녀자자유형 49㎏급과 52㎏급에서 리진옥,김유성선수들은 동메달을 받았다.(끝)

DPRK Cabinet Hosts Reception for Successful Taekwon-Do Team (English | Korean)

Pyongyang, August 5 (KCNA) -- The Cabinet of the DPRK hosted a reception at Okryu Restaurant on Sunday for the players who proved successful at the 18th World Taekwon-Do Championship. Kim Yong Jin, vice-premier of the Cabinet, made a speech at the reception. He said their successes added to the festive atmosphere throughout the country celebrating the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War and instilled strength and courage into all the service personnel and people. It was thanks to the wise leadership of supreme leader Kim Jong Un that they could register such successes at the championship, he added. He called on the players and coaches to make redoubled efforts to attain the higher goal in their training. Player Han Song Min in his reply said that Marshal Kim Jong Un showed all kinds of love and trust for all the sportspersons in the DPRK He pledged to make greater successes in every game by meeting the requirements of the ideological, persevering, speed and technical campaigns set forth by the Workers' Party of Korea. -0- 조선내각에서 제18차 태권도세계선수권대회에서 우승한 선수단을 위하여 연회 마련 (평양 8월 4일발 조선중앙통신) 조선민주주의인민공화국 내각에서는 제18차 태권도세계선수권대회에서 우승한 선수단을 위하여 4일 옥류관에서 연회를 마련하였다. 김용진 내각부총리는 연회에서 한 축하연설에서 전승 60돐을 맞는 온 나라의 경축분위기를 더해준 태권도선수들의 성과는 천만군민에게 힘과 용기를 안겨주었다고 말하였다. 이번 대회에서 성과를 거둘수 있은것은 경애하는 김정은원수님의 현명한 령도의 결실이라고 강조하였다. 연설자는 선수,감독들이 더 높은 훈련목표를 세우고 분발할데 대해 언급하였다. 한성민선수는 답사에서 경애하는 원수님께서 조선체육인들을 사랑의 한품에 안아 온갖 사랑과 믿음을 안겨주고 계시는데 대해 강조하였다. 그는 조선로동당이 제시한 사상전,투지전,속도전,기술전의 요구를 구현하여 경기마다에서 큰 성과를 이룩할 결의를 표명하였다.(끝)

XVIII ITF World Championships, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2013 - 2nd Day Medals

INSTRUCTOR PROFILE: Senior Master Pak Chol Min

INSTRUCTOR PROFILE: 

Name: Pak Chol Min
Nationality: DPR Korea
Date of Birth: 1961.12.28
Education: DPR Korea University of Sport
Dan degree: VIII Dan  

Personal timeline:

• April 1977 – March 1981
  Graduate student of DPR Korea University of Sport.
• April 1981 – December 1985
  KTC Instructor.
• 1982
  Became an International Taekwon-Do Instructor.
• 1983
  Under the Founder of Taekwon-Do Gen. Choi Hong Hi's guidance and training, Pak co-edited “Taekwon-Do Encyclopedia” and “Taekwon-Do Self-Defense” magazine, and was one of the demonstrators who appeared in the books and magazines.
• January 1986 – October 1990
  Instructor at the Austrian ITF Headquarters.
• November 1990 – June 1994
  KTC Instructor.
• July 1994 – April 1998
  Upon invitation of the Cambodian Olympic Committee, chief instructor of Cambodia Taekwon-Do Association.
• May 1998 – December 1999
  KTC Technical Committee master.
• January 2000 – August 2004
  Invited to Slovakia to become chief master of Slovakia Taekwon-Do Association.
• September 2004 – October 2006
  DPR Korea KTC Training Council master & professor.
• Since November 2006
  Beijing Science & Technology University distinguished professional International Taekwon-Do instructor.

INSTRUCTOR PROFILE: Senior Master Ri Myong Chol

Senior Master Ri Myong Chol

INSTRUCTOR PROFILE:

Name: Ri Myong Chol

Nationality: DPR Korea
Date of Birth: 1958.09.27
Education: DPR Korea Sports University
Dan degree: VIII Dan

Personal timeline:

• April 1975 - May 1978
  Graduated from DPR Korea University of Sport.
   
• June 1978-March 1985
  Teacher at DPR Korea University of Sport.
• 1981
  Became an International Taekwon-Do Instructor.
  
• 1983 Under the Founder of Taekwon-Do Gen. Choi Hong Hi's guidance and training, Ri co-edited the “Taekwon-Do Encyclopedia” and the  “Taekwon-Do Self-Defense” magazine, and was one of the demonstrators who appeared in the books and magazines.
  
• 1984 - 1985
  Travelled to South America, Austria, Hungary and other European countries; Libya, Tunisia and other African countries, teaching and demonstrating Taekwon-Do.
  
• April 1985 – October 1990
  Chief Instructor of the Mozambican State Administration of Sports Taekwon-Do Association.
  
• November 1990 – December 1991
  Korean Taekwon-Do Committee (KTC) Technical Department Instructor.
  
• January 1992 – December 1994
  Chief Instructor of Jilin Yanbian Taekwon-Do Association in China.
  
• January 1995 – November 1999
  Korean Taekwon-Do Committee (KTC) Technical Department General Instructor.
• December 1999 – August 2003
  Stationed at the Polish Ministry of Culture, Chief Master of the General Administration of Sport Taekwon-Do Association.
• September 2003 – February 2008
  Korean Taekwon-Do Committee (KTC) Technical Center and Department section manager.
• April 2010
  Elected as member of the Asian Taekwon-Do Federation Executive Committee and Chairman of the ITF Technical Committee.
• February 2008 - Present
  Chief Senior Master of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) mission in China, teaching at the Beijing Peking University Gymnasium.
  Translated by Sabumnim Yang Yu Bo, edited by Timothy Folkema.

PROF. CHANG UNG IN NYC WITH IOC PRESIDENT AWARDING OLYMPIC ORDER TO SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

PROF. CHANG UNG IN NYC WITH IOC PRESIDENT AWARDING

OLYMPIC ORDER TO SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE

UNITED NATIONS

Taekwon-Do Students greet Prof. Chang Ung, ITF President upon his arrival into NYC JFK airport in the USA.

The 3rd International Forum on Sport for Peace and Development took place in New York with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) honouring United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the Olympic Order. The award was in recognition of the UN Secretary-General’s strong personal commitment to use sport as a tool for social change, a concept brought to life through various joint IOC-UN projects at community level. It was also under Mr. Ban that the IOC received UN observer status in 2009.

The UN Secretary-General and IOC President Jacques Rogge delivered keynote speeches at the Forum, held for the first time at the UN headquarters.

President Rogge said,  “As we meet here today, sport is at work for peace and development in countries around the world. Collaboration in this area has increased dramatically and involves a wide range of committed partners.” He added: “The relationship between the IOC and the UN goes back many years. Our organizations have two very different roles in society, but we share some core values.”

“As I have often said, sport cannot solve all of the world’s problems. It is not a panacea for all the ills that afflict society. But it can be an effective tool for education, gender equality, conflict prevention and resolution, economic development and better health.”

“It can provide hope in the face of despair, joy amid sorrow and a sense of purpose to those who have lost their way. Let us leave here more determined than ever to put sport to work for peace and development.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The link between sport, peace and development grows stronger by the year. It can be traced back in history to the original Olympic Truce, which guaranteed safe passage to athletes and other travellers attending the ancient Games. It is found in the bidding requirements for modern Olympic host cities, which are asked to provide a durable social and environmental legacy. And it is evident throughout the United Nations system, which has embraced sport as a valuable vehicle for reaching our peace and development objectives. The International Olympic Committee is a key partner.”

“Let us work to make our sports events advertisements for the principles of peace, dignity, equality, justice and fairness.”

“The International Paralympic Committee has done excellent work over years to break down negative stereotypes and build positive attitudes. It is important that we work to build societies where all people, no matter their disability, can enjoy the right to play sports – and live their lives -- in safe, inclusive environments.”

 (It should be noted that Mr. Ben Evans is doing wonderful work in this area in New Zealand. His efforts have been admired and seen first hand when the New Zealand Prime Minster, made a personal visit to witness the training of these special Taekwon-doin. Keep checking back for more information on when his book on this topic will be released!)

“I am happy to see more governments using sport and physical activity as a tool for social and economic development. The United Nations stands ready to partner with organizations such as the IOC to promote sport for all regardless of health or wealth, colour or creed.”

III Dan ITF Black Belt John Connolly welcomes Prof. Chang to NYC. Mr. Connolly volunteered his time to assist with insuring a smooth arrival & process. 

The 3rd International Forum on Sport for Peace and Development was held at the UN headquarters in New York on June 5^th and 6^th 2013. Jointly organized by the IOC and the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) along with the support of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

In the framework of promoting peace through sport and the Olympic ideal, the IOC established an International Olympic Truce Foundation (IOTF) in July 2000. Through this global and symbolic concept, the IOC in part aims to use sport to establish contacts between communities in conflict and to create a window of opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation.

The IOC undertakings for the Olympic Truce extend beyond the period of the Olympic Games and have led to the implementation of a series of "sport for peace" activities through its National Olympic Committees.

"Sport alone cannot enforce or maintain peace. But it has a vital role to play in building a better and more peaceful world." Dr Jacques Rogge, IOC President, October 2007

"Sports by its nature may be competitive, but sports can be a very powerful tool and vehicle to promote dialogue and peace and reconciliation. Unfortunately we are experiencing problems in many parts of the world, but through sports we can promote peace and dialogue and reconciliation. This is exactly what the United Nations and the IOC share - the same goals and objectives."  Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General

International Olympic Truce Foundation is made up of IOC and UN personnel, along with certain heads of international federations, National Olympic Committees, athletes, former players, noted sports personalities as well as members of non-governmental organizations. The IOTF also appoints those people who they believe will help promote the objects of the Foundation. Among those on the committee in this category are Mr. Adolf OGI, Former President of Switzerland, HE Mr. Thorvald STOLTENBERG the Former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Norway and Dr. Ung CHANG the IOC Member from the D.P.R. Korea and President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF).

You may remember that General Choi Hong-hi, the founder and first President of the ITF, who many look to as the founder of Taekwon-Do, personally selected Dr. Chang, PhD to succeed him as the ITF President. Of course it was General Choi’s wish to use his Taekwon-Do as a vehicle to build a more peaceful world. It is of course the ultimate goal of ITF Taekwon-Do, as clearly stated in the final line of the Student’s Oath – “I shall build a more peaceful world”!

Apparently the IOC and the UN agree with General’s Choi assessment and selection of Prof. Chang, PhD. The ITF President was an invited participant, assisting the IOC President with this all-important event.

(Above information adapted from IOC & UN Press Releases, as well as information made public via their respective websites)

View the official Olympic video for examples of how the peace through sports initiative is making a difference in uniting & building a more peaceful world!