Gwangju World Archery Championships Kickoff: Volunteers Launch Preparations for Successful Event

Over 300 Volunteers Kick Off on the 11th... Acting as Citizen Diplomats
Kang Kijeong, Organizing Committee Chair: "As a Resonance for World Peace"

Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, is performing a success event for the competition with participants at the volunteer launching ceremony for the '2025 World Archery Championships' held in the main conference room of the city hall on the afternoon of the 11th. Provided by Gwangju City

The city of Gwangju and the World Archery Championships Organizing Committee held a volunteer kickoff ceremony for the "Gwangju 2025 World Archery Championships and World Para Archery Championships" in the city hall main conference room on the 11th, officially launching full-scale preparations for successful event operations.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 300 people, including Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju and chairperson of the organizing committee; Myung Jin, chairperson of the Education and Culture Committee of the Gwangju City Council; Choi Jihyun, chairperson of the Environment and Welfare Committee; Han Sangdeuk, executive vice president of the Gwangju Sports Association for the Disabled; Kim Gwangah, president of the Gwangju Archery Association; Lee Jongho, president of the Gwangju Para Archery Association; Ryu Misoo, director of the Gwangju Volunteer Center; Choi Miseon, Rio Olympic archery gold medalist; and the volunteers.

The event proceeded in the following order: a congratulatory performance by the Gwangju Municipal Changgeuk Company, presentation of appointment certificates to volunteer representatives, greetings and encouragement speeches, reading of the pledge, a success performance, and a commemorative photo session. In particular, an archery performance in which nine arrows hit the target was staged to symbolically express the volunteers' determination and commitment to the successful hosting of the championships.

Mayor Kang Kijeong stated, "The driving force behind the successful hosting of the championships begins with you, the volunteers," adding, "Your efforts as volunteers will resonate as a message of peace throughout the world. Please make Gwangju shine with pride."

After the kickoff ceremony, volunteers also received orientation training covering practical, field-oriented topics such as an overview of event operations, the roles and attitudes of volunteers, and safety management and crisis response, thereby completing their preparations for on-site activities.

A total of 302 volunteers have been selected for this event. They will be assigned to various fields, including event operations, on-site support, safety management, and foreign language interpretation. Before the championships begin in September, all volunteers will undergo detailed job training before being deployed to the field.

The "Gwangju 2025 World (Para) Archery Championships" will be held in two parts: the World Archery Championships from September 5 to 12, and the World Para Archery Championships from September 22 to 28. Competitions will take place at the Gwangju International Archery Field and the 5·18 Democracy Square.

As of this date, approximately 1,200 participants from 77 countries are expected to take part in the two championships. The organizing committee continues to make thorough preparations across all areas, including citizen participation, transportation, accommodation, and safety.