Gwangju City Launches Organizing Committee for 2025 World Archery Championships... Preparation Begins

Inaugural General Meeting... Review and Approval of Articles of Incorporation, Business, and Budget
Appointment of 57 Members Including Chairman Kang Ki-jung
Slogan 'Echo of Peace' and Mascot 'Epi'
To Be Held at International Archery Field from September 5 to 28 Next Year

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung attended the inaugural general meeting of the Organizing Committee for the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships and World Para Archery Championships held on the afternoon of the 16th in the city hall's medium conference room, and took a commemorative photo. Photo by Gwangju City

The organizing committee responsible for the successful hosting of the ‘Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships and World Para Archery Championships,’ scheduled for September next year, has been launched.

On the 16th, Gwangju City held the ‘Archery Competition Organizing Committee Inaugural General Meeting’ in the city hall’s medium conference room, where they deliberated and approved the committee’s articles of association, the appointment of the chairman and executives, business plans, and budget proposals.

At the inaugural general meeting, Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju was appointed as the chairman of the organizing committee, and 57 representatives from various sectors including sports, economy, and politics were appointed as committee members. Additionally, they reviewed business plans related to sending out competition invitations, establishing the competition venue systems, and transportation and accommodation for the event. A total budget of 4.182 billion KRW was approved for venue construction, competition personnel management, and event promotion.

The organizing committee will collaborate with the World Archery Federation, Korea Archery Association, Korea Para Archery Association, Gwangju Archery Association, Gwangju Para Archery Association, and the local community to systematically prepare for the event.

Mascot 'Epi' image for the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Championships. Provided by Gwangju City

At the meeting, the competition mascot ‘E-Pea (Echo of Peace)’ was unveiled. E-Pea symbolizes the ‘Guardian of Peace’ and, along with the slogan ‘The Echo of Peace,’ conveys a message of peace and hope to the world.

Following the inaugural general meeting, the organizing committee will complete the corporate registration and establish an office within the Gwangju World Cup Stadium in January next year to begin full-scale preparations. The office will immediately start activities such as event operations, infrastructure development, volunteer recruitment, and global promotional campaigns.

The city and the organizing committee pledged to enhance Gwangju’s international stature through the successful hosting of the event and to write a new chapter as a city of sports and peace.

The ‘Gwangju 2025 World Archery Championships’ is notable for hosting competitions for both able-bodied and para-athletes in the same city. This simultaneous hosting is the third of its kind after Torino, Italy in 2011 and ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands in 2019.

Chairman Kang Gi-jung stated, “Gwangju is an archery city; the bows and arrows originating from the ancient Mahan kingdom reflect Gwangju’s DNA, proven by numerous medalists such as Seo Hyang-sun, Jang Yong-ho, Joo Hyun-jung, Ki Bo-bae, Choi Mi-sun, and An San. This event will showcase the history, spirit, and future of Gwangju as a city of democracy, human rights, and peace, and you will also see Gwangju practicing for a sustainable future. Please join forces to elevate Gwangju on the world stage.”

The Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships will be held from September 5 to 12, 2025, and the World Para Archery Championships from September 22 to 28, 2025, at the Gwangju International Archery Field and the 5·18 Democracy Square area.