Suncheon City Steps Up Efforts to Attract the 2035 Universiade

Investing 45 Billion Won to Expand State-of-the-Art, Future-Oriented Facilities

On the 19th, Mayor Noh Kwan-gyu of Suncheon met with Leonz Edgar, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), in Dalian, China, to explain Suncheon's intention to host the 2035 World Universiade. They took a commemorative photo afterward. Provided by Suncheon City

Suncheon City is taking proactive steps to attract the World Universiade, a regional pledge made by President Lee Jaemyung.

On the 19th, a Suncheon City delegation-including Mayor Noh Kwangyu, Suncheon City Council Chair Kang Hyunggu, and Suncheon City Council Operations Committee Chair Kim Youngjin-visited Dalian, China, where they met with Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). During the meeting, they exchanged views on the possibility of Suncheon hosting the 2035 World Universiade and received a positive evaluation.

During his meeting with President Eder, Mayor Noh explored the feasibility of hosting the 2035 Universiade in Suncheon. He outlined the city’s vision for an eco-friendly and sustainable event based on the keywords of low-carbon, digital innovation, and youth focus, and highlighted Suncheon’s successful experience in hosting two previous international events.

President Leonz Eder responded, “I believe this meeting between FISU and Suncheon demonstrates our mutual sincerity toward the Universiade. I strongly resonate with Suncheon’s proposed inter-city co-hosting model and the vision for the event. When I visit Seoul in 2026 and the Chungcheong region in 2027, I will make sure to visit Suncheon as well.”

Mayor Noh stated, “Attracting the Universiade is a presidential regional pledge, and if successful, it will be a golden opportunity to upgrade the region’s outdated social overhead capital. However, since the role of the provincial government is most important, we plan to work closely with South Jeolla Province to make this a key catalyst for regional development.”

Meanwhile, the bid to host the World Universiade was presented as a local pledge for Suncheon by President Lee Jaemyung during the last presidential election. The city plans to invest over 45 billion won in the construction of the Namhaean Comprehensive Sports Park, carefully reviewing the installation of various international-standard sports facilities, and aims to transform outdated and insufficient infrastructure into state-of-the-art, future-oriented sports facilities.