Dr. Seo Won-sik, head of the International Peace Taekwondo Group, is gradually realizing his dream of promoting Taekwondo's global appeal in China, a country known for its Shaolin Kung Fu.
With 45 years of Taekwondo experience and an 8th-degree black belt, Dr. Seo moved to China at the age of 41 after running six Taekwondo schools in Seoul. Starting from scratch with no knowledge of Chinese, he studied the language and enrolled at Tsinghua University, ultimately becoming the first foreigner to earn a Ph.D. in sports science there after seven years of hard work.
Established China's First International Taekwondo Talent Program
After serving as a visiting professor at Tsinghua University and Peking University for three years, Dr. Seo continued his educational and international exchange efforts, building a network of around 1,000 contacts. He successfully persuaded Capital University of Physical Education and Sports to establish a partnership in 2022, leading to the creation of China's first systematic program for training foreign Taekwondo talent, the 'International Taekwondo Talent Program,' in 2023. This program allows foreign students to prepare for their undergraduate and graduate studies after completing Chinese language and foundational courses.
The program's conditions were unique; the university provided tuition, language training, and accommodation support, while Dr. Seo opted not to receive a salary.
Initially launched as the 'Korean Taekwondo Demonstration Team in China' in 2021, the group was reformed as the International Peace Taekwondo Group (IPT) in November 2022, primarily consisting of students from the talent program. Since then, they have received invitations to major sports and cultural events in China, earning positive reviews.
The IPT was specially invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the 18th Beijing Taekwondo Super League on November 1. This marks their second consecutive invitation, reflecting recognition for their ongoing performances and cultural exchange activities in China. Approximately 500 youth athletes from the Beijing area participated in the event, which also featured innovative competitions, including a children's poomsae event with AI robots.
Dr. Seo expressed his pride, stating, "It is an honor to be invited again this year. I am proud of the students who prepared diligently despite their busy schedules."
In the past month, the IPT has participated in several significant events, including the K-FESTA opening ceremony, the 70th anniversary celebration of Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, and the first Korea-China Taekwondo Cultural Exchange Festival organized by the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation in Beijing. They have performed over 30 demonstrations and volunteer activities to date.
Multinational Students Balancing Studies and Training
The IPT members come from diverse backgrounds, including South Korea, Spain, Mongolia, and Vietnam. As special scholarship recipients, they receive university support while balancing regular classes with specialized Taekwondo training. Dr. Seo noted, "The process of young people from different countries training and performing together is itself a form of international exchange and a practice of peace."
Currently, Dr. Seo oversees talent development, specialized training, and international exchanges as the foreign head of the Taekwondo International Talent Program. His goal is to elevate Taekwondo beyond a sport or martial art, transforming it into an educational and diplomatic asset that fosters goodwill between nations.
Dr. Seo: A Stable Environment is Needed for Academic and Health Balance
Ambassador Noh Jae-hun has shown interest in their activities, treating team members to dinner after their performance at K-FESTA on October 9.
Dr. Seo shared, "While the students have persevered through injuries and challenges in a foreign country, they often feel underappreciated. The ambassador's encouragement deeply moved us." He added, "Just knowing that someone recognizes their efforts provides great comfort and courage to the students."
As invitations increase, so do the pressures. There is a lack of support for production costs and specialized training beyond scholarships. Dr. Seo emphasized, "Rather than increasing the number of performances, we need a stable operational environment that prioritizes the students' academic success and health to enhance the quality of our work."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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