Fostering Friendly Relations Through Korea-China-Japan Youth Sports Exchange

Seoul Jungnang-gu and Seodaemun-gu Host Korea-China-Japan and Korea-Japan Youth Sports Exchange, Receiving Applause

Sports exchanges among Korean, Chinese, and Japanese youth, as well as between Korean and Japanese youth, are becoming more active.

This is the result of efforts by Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) and Seodaemun-gu (District Mayor Lee Sung-heon) to foster a harmonious atmosphere through sports exchanges among youth from the three Northeast Asian countries, including South Korea.

Jungnang-gu Successfully Concludes Korea-China-Japan Youth Sports Friendship Exchange Starting from the 24th

Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) successfully concluded the Korea-China-Japan youth sports friendship exchange that began on the 24th.

The district, along with Dongxing District in China and Meguro-ku in Japan, has actively continued youth sports exchanges since agreeing on youth sports cooperation among the three districts in 2016. From 2017 to 2019, they held the “Three Districts Basketball Tournament” sequentially in each city, but the events were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.

This exchange event marks the resumption after five years since the 2019 basketball tournament, aiming to strengthen mutual friendship among the three districts and enhance communication through sports as a medium.

The competition was badminton, with second-year middle school students from each city participating. Each team consisted of 12 players, with a total of four teams competing. Notably, instead of city-based teams, mixed teams composed of players from all three districts participated, emphasizing friendship over competition.

The matches started with preliminary rounds on the 24th, followed by the finals on the morning of the 25th, concluding successfully. After the games, a closing ceremony featured a congratulatory performance and an awards ceremony announcing group rankings and the best players from each country.

Additionally, representatives of the players from the three districts shared their impressions and exchanged T-shirts, creating a meaningful moment.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “I am pleased that sports served as a medium for youth from the three East Asian countries to understand linguistic and cultural differences and grow as partners for the future generation. I hope this opportunity allowed them to make good friends and share precious memories and friendships.”

Seodaemun-gu and Tokyo Sumida-ku to Promote 2024 Children’s Soccer Team Friendship Exchange

Friendship matches in Japan, various site visits, and homestays with Japanese players’ families planned

Seodaemun-gu (District Mayor Lee Sung-heon) announced that a friendship exchange between the Seodaemun-gu Children’s Soccer Team and the Tokyo Sumida-ku Children’s Soccer Team will take place from the 26th to the 30th, lasting four nights and five days, in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

This year marks the 24th children’s soccer exchange, which has been held annually by alternating visits between the two cities.

After a temporary suspension due to COVID-19, the exchange resumed last year after four years, with Sumida-ku visiting Seodaemun-gu. This year, a total of 39 people, including 29 children from the Seodaemun-gu Children’s Soccer Team, coaches, and chaperones, will visit Sumida-ku.

The children from both cities will participate in friendly soccer and futsal matches. They will also strengthen their bonds through various site visits and homestays with Japanese players’ families.

Lee Sung-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “We expect that such mutual exchanges will provide opportunities for future soccer hopefuls to broaden their horizons and experiences.”

A Seoul district official stated, “It is desirable to create good memories for the younger generation to promote Korea-China-Japan relations.”