[Stones and Stories] Partners in Mutual Growth: The Pacemaker

The dictionary definition of a pacemaker is an athlete who sets the standard pace in events like marathons or cycling races. In record-based sports, the role of a pacemaker is crucial. They help maintain a steady pace from the start, providing support to ensure consistent performance.

When someone is leading alone for an extended period, it becomes difficult to maintain their pace. They may become complacent, or conversely, feel rushed and anxious. It can even be hard to judge whether they are doing well or not. Sometimes, overpacing can ruin the entire competition. In such cases, having someone alongside as a motivator or a reference point can be incredibly reassuring. The meaning of pacemaker should not be reduced to someone who sacrifices for a specific individual. It also encompasses the idea of a colleague who joins forces to achieve a common goal.

Just like in other sports, the game of Go also needs a pacemaker. In Korean women's Go, Choi Jeong, a 9-dan player, has long dominated the scene. According to "Go Rating," which compiles world Go rankings, Choi Jeong has held the number one spot in women's professional Go from 2017 to 2025.

For nearly a decade, she has fended off challenges from Chinese players and served as the gatekeeper of Korean women's Go. However, the passage of time is inevitable. Born in October 1996 and currently 28 years old, Choi Jeong may seem to be in her prime, but considering the changing landscape of the Go world, that is not necessarily the case. In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), experienced Go players are facing fierce challenges from rising stars. Some even consider the late teens to early twenties as the peak years for Go players. Sumire, a 4-dan player from the Nihon Ki-in who has emerged as a dark horse in women's Go, was born in March 2009.

Kim Eunji, who is two years older than Sumire but more than ten years younger than Choi Jeong, is a 9-dan player born in May 2007. According to the Korea Baduk Association, as of August, Kim Eunji is ranked number one in Korean women's Go. In fact, Choi Jeong and Kim Eunji are closely competing for the top spot, frequently exchanging the number one position.

The reason the Korean Go community is watching with satisfaction is because a long-awaited pacemaker has finally emerged. At the very least, Choi Jeong no longer has to run a lonely race by herself, which is a welcome development. From Kim Eunji's perspective, Choi Jeong could even become her own pacemaker.

President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding a summit at the White House in Washington DC on the 25th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

In politics as well, companions who support and motivate each other-like Choi Jeong and Kim Eunji-are essential. On the 25th (local time), during the Korea-U.S. summit, President Lee Jae Myung made headlines with his remark: "If President Trump becomes a peacemaker who brings about peace, I will be the pacemaker." A single word of encouragement, expressing expectations and respect for the counterpart, instantly transformed the tense atmosphere of the summit into a more amicable one.

In negotiations over national interests, a single phrase that appeals to the other's emotions can sometimes be more effective than solid logic. If such words managed to open the heart of the leader of a superpower armed with a business mindset, then from the perspective of national interest, the positive impact may already be immeasurable in monetary terms.