Taebaek City to Host the 20th Prime Minister's Cup World Baduk Championship

To Be Held at Highland Gymnasium and Taebaek Hotel from November 7 to 14

Taebaek City, Gangwon Province (Mayor Lee Sangho), announced on November 6 that the "20th Prime Minister's Cup World Baduk Championship" will be held over eight days from November 7 to 14 at the Highland Gymnasium and Taebaek Hotel.

Taebaek City, hosting the "20th Prime Minister's Cup World Baduk Championship." Provided by Taebaek City

This tournament is jointly hosted and organized by the Korea Baduk Association, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Baduk Association, and Taebaek City Baduk Association, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Taebaek City, Taebaek City Council, and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation.

The international teams will arrive in Korea on November 7, complete their registration, and then travel to Taebaek on November 8. The opening ceremony, which will be held at 2 p.m. on the same day at the Highland Gymnasium, will mark the start of the international tournament with about 500 attendees, including domestic and international guests and players.

This year, approximately 400 participants from 53 countries will compete in the tournament, which will be held in four categories: the World Championship National Team Match, the Youth National Team Match, the Pair Baduk Tournament, and the National Baduk Tournament.

In addition, a variety of side events will take place during the tournament period, such as the Asian Go Federation (AGF) General Assembly, professional player lectures and simultaneous exhibition games, and board game experience events. These activities will transform the event into a global Baduk festival that can be enjoyed not only by Baduk enthusiasts but also by citizens and tourists alike.

The main matches will officially begin with the Pair Baduk Tournament on November 9, and all official events will conclude with the seventh round of the World Championship National Team Match on November 13.

Notably, on the final day of the tournament, November 14, the international teams will visit Taebaek's representative tourist attraction, Tongri Tantan Park, where they will experience interactive programs such as media art, shooting games, and augmented reality (AR) photo zones, allowing them to directly experience the charm of Taebaek, the highland tourism city.

A Taebaek City official stated, "It is very meaningful for us to host the Prime Minister's Cup World Baduk Championship for the second consecutive year," adding, "We will do our utmost to provide a warm welcome and attentive support befitting an international tournament, so that all participants can enjoy a comfortable stay."

Meanwhile, to revitalize the local economy during November, which is the off-season for tourism and sports, Taebaek City will continue to enhance its brand value as a 'highland sports city' by consecutively hosting large-scale national sports events such as the 2026 National and Youth Jiu-Jitsu Team Selection Tournament (November 21-23) and the National Wrestling Championships and the first National University Wrestling Team Selection Tournament for the fall season (November 25-December 3).