Kukkiwon Concludes Refresher Course for Masters Dispatched to Europe and Africa

Kukkiwon Concludes Refresher Course for Masters Dispatched to Europe and Africa

Held from November 12 to 19 in France and Belgium… Participants included 19 masters from 19 countries

KUKKIWON

Kukkiwon concluded the 2025 Kukkiwon Dispatch Master Refresher Course for Masters dispatched to Europe and Africa (hereafter referred to as “refresher course”).

The refresher course was conducted from November 12 to 19 in France and Belgium with 19 masters currently serving in 19 European and African countries.

13 masters came from Europe (France, Bulgaria, Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Portugal, Georgia, Germany, Bosnia, Latvia, Belgium, Slovakia) and 6 from Africa (Tunisia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Egypt).

While Kukkiwon has traditionally hosted annual refresher courses in Korea to strengthen the expertise and instructional capabilities of masters dispatched overseas, the program was reorganized this year into continent-based course for more efficient operation and was launched on a trial basis.

Additionally, by conducting the course in cooperation with continental Taekwondo federations and national Taekwondo associations, Kukkiwon aims to reinforce its global network.

KUKKIWON

During the course, the masters visited the UNESCO headquarters which provides educational and cultural support around the globe, and explained the importance of having Taekwondo inscribed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

They also participated in the “Taekwondo Masters Technical Seminar,” hosted by the French Taekwondo Federation and taught around 250 local masters advanced poomsae, sparring, and other Taekwondo techniques.

In addition, the masters visited the largest refugee center in Belgium, where they held a “Taekwondo Equipment Donation Ceremony,” to make the vulnerable groups feel safe and stable, and help their social integration. The masters also visited the Korean Cultural Centers in France and Belgium, where they held discussions with center directors on cultural exchange and cooperation through Taekwondo.

Meanwhile, from July 24 to 29, Kukkiwon conducted the “Middle East–Asia Continental Refresher Course” in Kuching and Kuala Lumpur, Ma-laysia.

Since 2009, Kukkiwon, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has been carrying out the “Taekwondo Master Overseas Dispatch Program” to promote Taekwondo in developing and strategically important countries. Currently, masters are dispatched to 55 countries worldwide. These enlightments highlight the essential role of dispatched instructors as front-line contributors to Korea’s cultural and public diplomacy efforts through Taekwondo.