Intro

It is an honor to hold the 19th KPMC in Taebaek, a clear and refreshing city with a cool wind where can be free from the hot weather.

With local inhabitants, we sincerely welcome to Taebaek for every player, executive and guests.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Bong-su JUNG, KBF president who supports its first holding in Taebaek, and to other Baduk officials such as Mr.

Kyu-seon IM, president of Gangwon-do Baduk Association and Mr. Sang-ro LEE, president of Taebaek Baduk Association who have supported it.

Baduk is a historical human cultural heritage, and the best mind-sport which requires careful strategy and high concentration, loved by men and women of all ages. In particular, Korean Baduk has been attracting world-wide attention for its outstanding performances on the international stage.

In order to become a world-wide Baduk mecca, Taebaek City has been focusing on the ‘Baduk mecca project’ through establishing the Taebaek Branch of Korean Baduk Association and holding many Baduk tournaments.

It will build the best infrastructure in the future so that Baduk players around the world can visit here whenever they want.

All representative players from the world!

Please get on the stage by showing your having honed capacity in Taebaek where is a highland sport resort city with a magnificent environment provided by Mother Nature with her love.

Regardless of the result, I hope the moment would be your priceless opportunity to build friendship and goodwill with other Baduk players and enjoy the beautiful places in Taebaek during the timeframe, too.

I reiterate my appreciation for all the staffs having prepared to hold the KPMC, and sincerely hope the great development of Korean Baduk as well as you all the best.

Thank you very much.

It is pleased to meet all of you.
I am Jae-chang KO, chairperson of Taebaek City Council.

First of all, it is good to hear that Taebaek, a resort and leisure sports city in Gowon, holds the 19th Korea Prime Minister Cup which around 60 great representative players from each country/territory have participated in and I sincerely welcome all of you: players, executives, guests and Baduk players.

Also, I would like to express my gratitude to whom have worked hard to prepare this championship: Mr. Bong-su JUNG, Kyu-seon IM, Sang-ro LEE, and every staff.

I believe Korean Baduk players are the best in the world. Mr. Hun-hyun CHO was the symbol to represent genius Baduk players who had raised the status of Korean Baduk to No.1 in the world so that many children start to learn it.

As you know, Baduk may change drastically by each move, even for the result. The worst movements in Baduk, a microcosm of one’s life, should be ‘renunciation’ and ‘frustration’.

Following the proverb, ‘You can never get the victory with too much greed for it.’, I hope you will develop a wise game with reading the whole situation rather than coveting profits in front of you.
Moreover, we hope that this moment will serve as a valuable opportunity to examine your improved skills and further enrich the base Baduk population.

In this competition held in Taebaek, the mecca of sports, I hope that all the best players from all over the world will perform in their best condition.
We, Taebaek City Council, will do our bests to support Taebaek to be reborn as a mecca of Baduk worldwidely.

During the competition, I also hope the status of Korean Baduk and culture has become well-known to the world, as well as a lot of communication among Baduk people during this competition.

I wish everyone here to stay healthy.
Thank you very much.

It is an honor to meet Baduk-lovers from all over the world.

I am pleased to congratulate the 19th Korea Prime Minister Cup International Baduk Championship, the world Baduk Festival could be held successfully, and greet and encourage all the participants.

Likewise, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Bong-su JUNG, president of Korea Baduk Federation as well as all officials who have spared no pains to host the successful tournament.

Recently, headed by Baduk, chess, and E-sports, ‘Mind Sports’ have been loved more and more. Particularly, in addition to traditional sports which are mainly about physical matches along with the expansion of the sports areas, the popularity of mind sports using the brain which is the core of the central nervous system has increased. In particular, the mind sports led by Baduk, chess, and e- sports have pioneered new areas in the sports fields unlike in the past.

Among them in particular, Baduk, a traditional Eastern mind sport, has a great function for developing the brain and expanding social exchanges as well as a healthy leisure, so it would be expected the sport would be developed and expanded in the future.

Starting with the first tournament in 2006, the 19th KPMC is the most prestigious Amateur Baduk championship held in Korea. In particular, it is a Baduk festival which many Baduk people compete with excellent players from around 60 countries in the world to show their performance of Baduk.

I wish all participating players could show their performance with fair play in every game, and other participants who love Baduk could enjoy watching Baduk matches, the beauty of Korea and could make beautiful memories.

I reiterate my wish that the tournament could be encourage the spread of Baduk and the improvement of its capabilities. I sincerely wish all participants good luck and hope them come out on top.

Thank you very much.

It is an honor to greet you Baduk players!

I am Kyu-seon IM, president of Gangwon-do Baduk Association.

I am pleased to hear that the 19th KPMC will be held in Taebaek, a Baduk city of Gowon and welcome every participant from the world.

Baduk is a mind-sport to help developing memory, thinking, and concentration as well as mental discipline. Please enjoy your time regardless of the result of competitions with a long perspective like thinking during Baduk.

Taebaek City here has clean and fresh air free from the contamination, so please get the fresh air as well as achieving your goals during the timeframe.

In the world of competition, there should be both win and loss. Apart from the board after a round, I hope you could have a good memory about this tournament with the built good relationship through Baduk.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to KBF president, Mr. Bong-su JUNG and Mr. Sang-ho LEE, the mayor of Taebaek who have supported and cooperated to hold the KPMC as well as all the staffs related to it.

I sincerely wish all of your fortune and health.

Thank you very much.