I first heard of the Taekwondo Peace Corps (TPC) while watching a special feature on cable TV a few days ago. Out of curiosity, I tried to find out a little bit about the organization and as I expected the concept was espoused by a Korean, as Taekwondo is very much Korean.
The idea of a Taekwondo Peace Corps was first raised by World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President Chungwon Choue at an international workshop on sports and peace in Leuven, Belgium on September 2007. Then again, in another international forum on sport and peace held in Monaco in December of that same year, WTF President Choue again raised the same concept, but these time expanding it to involve all the summer Olympic sports, and called it “Sports Peace Corps”.
Launched by the World Taekwondo Federation in Suwon, South Korea on July 5, 2008, the Taekwondo Peace Corps is promoted by the World Taekwondo Federation and organized by the Goodwill, Cooperation and Service (GCS) International, a United Nations-recognized non-governmental organization, both organizations headed by Dr. Chungwon Choue. TPC’s goal is to bring peace through sports. Not only will TPC provide technical enhancement of Taekwondo to WTF member associations but it will also enhance the over-all image of the sport in the international sport community.
The TPC initially dispatched 27 members to five countries, namely, Russia, Paraguay, India, Pakistan and China, during the summer of 2008. The second dispatch was made during the winter of 2008 where 32 members were sent to eight countries: China, Russia, Pakistan, Paraguay, India, Egypt, Morocco, Bolivia, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. This year, the following are the dispatched countries: El Salvador, India, Isle of Man, Samoa, Bhutan, Nigeria, Mongolia, Angola, Philippines, Poland, Azerbaijan, and Mexico.
If TPC will be carried out successfully, Dr. Choue envisions of expanding the program to involve all Olympic sports into a “Sport Peace Corps”, in cooperation with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee.
Spreading peace thru Taekwondo, that’s the Taekwondo Peace Corps.
Showing posts with label suwon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suwon. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Happy Suwon
Located about 30 kilometers south of Seoul is Suwon, the provincial capital of Gyeonggi province. It is also the largest city in the province and is home to more than a million people, making it one of the most populated cities outside of Seoul.
Home to one of Korea’s leading brands, Samsung Electronics, Suwon is also the hometown of Manchester United’s Park Ji Sung, Korea’s most popular footballer. They actually named a street after him. One of only two athletes worldwide who I can remember of being given the distinction of having a street named after them while they are still alive, the other athlete is Michael Schumacher, who has a street named after him in his hometown in Germany.
Suwon is also known for its Galbi. It is said that the best Korean galbi is served in Suwon.
But most of all, Suwon is well known for its Hwaseong Fortress, its most notable attraction. You can see the fortress in almost all promotional materials of Suwon. Whether it be in print, TV or in the internet, it is almost impossible not to see Hwaseong. Hwaseong Fortress is a fortified wall which used to encircle the entire city. It was built by Joseon emperor Jeongjo to honor his deceased father, Sado Seja, in 1794. It has four gates Paldalnum Gate; Hwaseomun Gate; Janganmun Gate and Changnyongmun Gate.
Paldalnum Gate is positioned in the southern part of the fortress. The existing Paldalnum Gate is just a reconstruction of the original gate which was burnt down during the Korean War. On the right wall of the gate is a nameplate bearing all the names of the people who were associated in building the gate. Of the four gates, Paldalnum is the only gate located in the middle of the busy streets of Suwon. Hwaseomun Gate on the other hand is located at the western side of the fortress. Janganmun Gate is on the north side while Changnyongmun is located on the east side.
Hwaseong Fortress was declared Historical Site Number 3 by the Korean government and was inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1997.
Another must not to be missed site in Suwon is the Haenggung Palace within Hwaesong Fortress. Haenggung was a temporary retreat place for the kings, way back then. It was considered the king’s R & R (rest and recreation) area. The largest shelter built in all the palaces, it is located at the foot of the Hwaseong fortress.
Hope you have a great time in Suwon. As they say…. Happy Suwon!!!
Home to one of Korea’s leading brands, Samsung Electronics, Suwon is also the hometown of Manchester United’s Park Ji Sung, Korea’s most popular footballer. They actually named a street after him. One of only two athletes worldwide who I can remember of being given the distinction of having a street named after them while they are still alive, the other athlete is Michael Schumacher, who has a street named after him in his hometown in Germany.
Suwon is also known for its Galbi. It is said that the best Korean galbi is served in Suwon.
But most of all, Suwon is well known for its Hwaseong Fortress, its most notable attraction. You can see the fortress in almost all promotional materials of Suwon. Whether it be in print, TV or in the internet, it is almost impossible not to see Hwaseong. Hwaseong Fortress is a fortified wall which used to encircle the entire city. It was built by Joseon emperor Jeongjo to honor his deceased father, Sado Seja, in 1794. It has four gates Paldalnum Gate; Hwaseomun Gate; Janganmun Gate and Changnyongmun Gate. Paldalnum Gate is positioned in the southern part of the fortress. The existing Paldalnum Gate is just a reconstruction of the original gate which was burnt down during the Korean War. On the right wall of the gate is a nameplate bearing all the names of the people who were associated in building the gate. Of the four gates, Paldalnum is the only gate located in the middle of the busy streets of Suwon. Hwaseomun Gate on the other hand is located at the western side of the fortress. Janganmun Gate is on the north side while Changnyongmun is located on the east side.
Hwaseong Fortress was declared Historical Site Number 3 by the Korean government and was inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1997.
Another must not to be missed site in Suwon is the Haenggung Palace within Hwaesong Fortress. Haenggung was a temporary retreat place for the kings, way back then. It was considered the king’s R & R (rest and recreation) area. The largest shelter built in all the palaces, it is located at the foot of the Hwaseong fortress.
Hope you have a great time in Suwon. As they say…. Happy Suwon!!!
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