Jeonju and Kanazawa Hold Joint Judo Training to Strengthen Friendship Through Sports

Delegation of Over 20 Athletes Visits Jeonju for Four-Day Exchange Program

More than 20 members of the Japan Kanazawa City Judo Association team conducted joint training with the Judo Association of Jeonju City, Jeonbuk Province, starting from the 3rd. Photo by Jeonju City, Jeonbuk Province

Jeonju City in Jeollabuk-do is strengthening nearly two decades of friendly cooperation with its international sister city, Kanazawa City in Japan, through active sports exchanges.

According to Jeonju City on January 5, more than 20 members of the Judo Association from Kanazawa City visited Jeonju from January 3 to January 6 for a four-day, three-night schedule. This visit was particularly meaningful as it marked the resumption of in-person exchanges between the two cities, which had been suspended due to the impact of COVID-19.

The delegation, led by Association President Tai Tomoaki, visited Jeonju City Hall on January 5, where they met with Jeonju Mayor Woo Beomgi and delivered a personal letter from Kanazawa Mayor Murayama Takashi. During the meeting, Mayor Woo and the athletes reflected on the significance of the harmony between the two cities, which has continued for 19 years since the sister city agreement was signed in 2006.

During their stay in Jeonju, the delegation conducted two days of joint training with the Jeonju City Judo Association, shared judo techniques, and held a meeting among coaches. They also visited major tourist attractions such as Jeonju Hanok Village, where they experienced traditional Korean culture firsthand and deepened mutual understanding.

Jeonju City plans to use this visit as an opportunity to regularize international sports exchanges between the two cities' judo organizations and expand cooperation into various fields, including youth exchanges.

Jeonju Mayor Woo Beomgi emphasized, "The exchange fostered through judo has now reached its 19th year, which is a valuable achievement accomplished through mutual effort. We will continue to further develop a future-oriented relationship between the two cities through ongoing exchange and cooperation."