Chuncheon Secures 3.5 Billion Won in National Funding for World Taekwondo Headquarters Construction Next Year

Advance Notice of 2026 Government Budget Proposal; Final Approval Pending National Assembly Review
Completion Targeted for June 2028
Reception Hall, Auditorium, and Office Spaces Planned
Strengthening Chuncheon's Status as the Capital of Taekwond

Chuncheon City in Gangwon Province (Mayor Yuk Donghan) has secured 3.5 billion won in next year’s government budget for the construction of the World Taekwondo Headquarters (WT).

Bird's-eye view of the World Taekwondo Headquarters Federation. Provided by Chuncheon City

On September 12, Chuncheon City announced that it had recently received advance notice from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that 3.5 billion won in national subsidies for the 2026 World Taekwondo Headquarters construction project had been included in the government’s proposed budget. This budget will be finalized through the National Assembly’s budget review process.

With the government funding secured, the WT Headquarters construction project is expected to gain momentum.

The WT Headquarters will be built in Songam Sports Town, consisting of one basement floor and four above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 3,200 square meters. The building will house an exhibition hall, auditorium, reception hall, workspaces, and a VR Taekwondo experience zone. Currently, a design competition is underway. After starting the design service next month, construction is scheduled to begin next year, with completion targeted for 2028. The total project cost is 22 billion won, with 7 billion won from the national government, 3 billion won from the provincial government, and 12 billion won from the city government.

WT is an international organization with members from 213 countries, overseeing official Olympic Taekwondo events and major competitions such as the World Championships and Grand Slam Champions Series. Given the symbolic significance, Chuncheon City, under its eighth popularly elected administration, has made the relocation and hosting of the WT Headquarters a top priority and has finalized the decision to bring it to the city.

Chuncheon City Hall exterior view.

The city plans to solidify its status as the capital of Taekwondo and emerge as a hub for international sports diplomacy by attracting the WT Headquarters to Chuncheon.

Mayor Yuk Donghan stated, "The construction of the WT Headquarters goes beyond a mere building; it is about shaping the future of global Taekwondo," adding, "We are preparing a variety of strategies to establish Chuncheon as the center of global Taekwondo."