President of KBF
Sang-chul SHIN
Welcome honoured guests and distinguished players.
As the president of Korea Baduk Federation, it is my great pleasure to host the 13th Korea Prime Minister Cup International Baduk Championship.
Today, we have 61 great Baduk players from the world here at this place under the passion and love for Baduk. I would like to thank all 61 representative players from 61 countries/territories for coming all the way to Buan and I am truly thankful and respectful for your passion and enthusiasm.
In Korea, Baduk is often defined as competition, but at the same time it’s also called ‘Sudam’. Sudam in Korean means that two person can communicate and read the mind of another without speaking a word, thus it is often referred to playing Baduk. ‘Competition’ and ‘Sudam’ don’t seem to coexist, but I believe their harmony is one of the attractiveness of Baduk. Therefore, we have chosen ‘One Baduk, One World’ as the slogan of the 13th KPMC, it means a world united through Baduk.
Baduk is not only a sport and culture, but can also achieve economical and diplomatic effect. We will have Asian Go Federation General Assembly here during the KPMC. Officials have come to discuss the methods to promote the world Baduk. We kindly ask everyone here at the KPMC to send your support for AGF to send out positive influence on the world Baduk.
I would like to extend my appreciation to Mr. Nak-yon LEE, Prime Minister of Korea, Mr. Kee-heung LEE, President of Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and would like to thank Mr. Ik-hyun KWON, the Governor of Buan and members of Buan Country Office for letting us to host a successful tournament here in beautiful Buan. I hope all the players the best and to have an everlasting memories.
Mayor of Buan
Ik-hyun KWON
‘To the future, to the world! Vivid Buan’
It is my great joy to host The 13th Korea Prime Minister Cup – International Baduk Championship in Buan, a town vigorously taking off for a new millennium, and welcome all the Baduk players from the world.
As the irrefutably representative town of Baduk, Buan is the home of Mr. Cho Namcheol 9P, a great figure in the history of Baduk in Korea, and many other professional players.
In 2003, Buan officially registered the trademark slogans such as “The Mecca of Korea Baduk-Buan” and “Korean Baduk’s Root-Buan”, and established the world’s first Baduk-themed park in Julpo-myeon.
Buan is proud to say that the Korean baduk was rooted from Buan based on the achievements including the foundation of Gomso-salt team for Korea Women’s Baduk League, and holding many Baduk events such as Cho Namcheol Cup – National Students’ Baduk Tournament and Female Professionals’ Invitational Games.
Moreover, Buan has become the city of Baduk by hosting The Korea Prime Minister Cup for three consecutive years.
Now, Buan dreams of the next step of Korean Baduk.
In our attempt to correspond to the nickname of “The Mecca of Korea Baduk”, Buan will establish the infrastructure for Baduk and dedicate itself to the development of Baduk by holding various tournaments and events.
Everyone, the youngsters to seniors, men and women, will be able to experience and enjoy Baduk by visiting Buan.
I wish all the players from the world will be able to display their years of practice at the 13th KPMC and bear the fruit of the best results.
Enjoy the healing Mecca in the west sea, Buan!
Thank you.
President of Korean Sports & Olympic Committee
Kee-heung LEE
Dear members of the Baduk family,
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on the opening of the 13th Korea Prime Minister Cup International Baduk Championship in Buan-gun and welcome all the participants and representatives from 61 countries all over the world.
The year 2018 is the year of Sports. Everyone was thrilled to be at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, and Jakarta Palembang 2018.
Nowadays, more and more people are interested in Mind Sports that uses ‘brain’ unlike the other sports that involves active physical movements. Oriental mind sports triggers the development of brain cells and promotes the cultural exchange between different countries.
It has been 13 years since the very first Korea Prime Mnister Cup. I hope that the players from Asia, Europe, Americas and Oceania perform the best and promote Baduk worldwide.
And also it is my hope that all participants display their best skills in the spirit of fair play whilst creating new bonds of friendship and memories.
Also, we hope all the spectators enjoy the games and hope that everyone build great memories with the fellow players around the world.
Once again, congratulations on the grand opening of the 13th KPMC, and I would like to extend my appreciation to Mr. Sangcheol Shin, President of the Korea Baduk Federation, and to all his team members for their hard work and effort in making this event a success.
Best wishes for all. Thank you.
Governor of Jeollabuk-do
Ha-jin SONG
Dear Baduk Players and family members from 61 countries around the world, welcome to Buan, the town of five fortunes.
It is great pleasure to hold the 13th Korea Prime Minister Cup International Baduk Championship in Jeollabuk-do.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Sang-chul Shin, President of Korea Baduk Federation, Mr. In-Seop Oh, President of Jeollabuk-do Baduk Association, and to everyone who has worked towards this year’s KPMC.
Jeollabuk-do is the home of internationally renowned professional Baduk players such as Cho Namcheol 9P, Lee Chang-ho 9P, and is still keeping up with nurturing the future Baduk leaders.
I hope to see that this year’s KPMC, the one and only international amateur Baduk Championship in Korea, globalizes and expands the foundation of Korea Baduk.
Baduk is an exceptionally beneficial sport for mental health in a sense that it enhances one’s focus, persistence and perseverance. I hope that every participant have a chance to improve and learn from Baduk.
I wish all the players from the world to display their best performance here at the KPMC.
Best wishes for all.
Thank you.
Chairman of Buan Council
Han-soo LEE
On behalf of 60,000 citizens of Buan, I would like to welcome all distinguished guests and players around the world to the beautiful Baduk county of Buan.
Dear players!
Buan is the hometown of the father of Korean Baduk, Cho Namcheol 9P, and the great Baduk player, Lee Chang-ho 9P. Thus, the shape of Julpo Bay Tidal Flat Ecological Park is in the shape of Baduk board and we have named the tournament venue as ‘Sudam’, one of the Korean Baduk words.
It is my great pleasure host the 13th KPMC here at the Baduk-friendly county - Buan, and would like to sincerely thank Mr. Sang-chul SHIN and the members of Korea Baduk Federation for their hard work to yield a successful tournament.
Baduk is a game of art emphasizing the moral and respect for the other player. Also, Baduk is a brain sports that anyone can enjoy. Due to these attraction, more and more people around the world enjoy Baduk.
I hope that the KPMC will be develpted and promoted as a festival for all Baduk lovers and for players from all the world.
I wish all the players from 61 countries/territories will be able to show the best skill in the competition, build friendship through Baduk, and also have wonderful memories in the beautiful Buan.
Best wishes for all. Thank you very much.
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