World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue has led a delegation to North Korea with a message of “peace and unity”.
The South Korean is one of 49 members of the organisation’s staff to travel to Pyongyang at the invitation of the separate International Taekwondo Federation (ITF).
It is the latest example of sport being used as a tool to build bridges on the Korean peninsula, where South and North Korea technically remain at war.
As taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art the visit to the North’s capital is seen as particularly poignant.
Choue has been joined by World Taekwondo vice presidents Ahmed Fouly and John Kotsifas, Council member Angelo Cito and secretary general Hoss Rafaty.
He has met North Korean ITF president Ri Yong Son to discuss how to widen cooperation between the two federations for the good of the
sport.
“Taekwondo comes from the same root,” Choue said.
“Taekwondo can bind them closely together and play a key role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
“Many World Taekwondo member countries and executives said they are proud of the fact that taekwondo played an important role in improving relations between South and North Korea.
“I believe the sport will be remembered by many for its great contribution for peace.”
Taekwondo was formed before the Koreas separated into two countries.
Both World Taekwondo and the ITF signed a Protocol of Accord, in which they agreed to cooperate for a “better future”, in 2014.
This had the full endorsement of International Olympic Committee President Thomas
Bach.
World Taekwondo is based in South Korea’s capital Seoul and runs the Olympic version of the
sport.
The ITF’s headquarters are located in Vienna.