At the meeting, on behalf of the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Minister Phan expressed gratitude for the initiative of the Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Vietnam, Chairman of the Korean Taekwondo Federation, who coordinated and organized this meeting. In recent days, the martial arts delegation has had very lively exchange programs in Vietnam. This is a highly significant activity on the occasion of the two countries celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries, Vietnam and North Korea, have a traditional and long-standing relationship, and each of country has the responsibility to nurture this friendly bond.
Deputy Minister Phan Tâm chaired the reception.
Through this martial arts exchange activity, it will also serve as a bridge to connect, helping Vietnamese youth learn more about the people and country of North Korea, especially the many achievements of their martial arts. After this exchange, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hopes that the ambassador will connect the two countries to continue strengthening cooperation through various other sports such as basketball, table tennis, etc.
“We follow international sports tournaments, see your flag being raised high, and hope to receive support so that Vietnam can also realize that. We use the spirit of sports competition to create strength in other fields...” Deputy Minister Phan Tam affirmed.
According to the statement of the President of the Taekwondo Federation of North Korea, Mr. Kim Myong Gun: Although we have not been in Vietnam for long, in the past few days we have also felt the deep affection you have for the delegation. Taekwondo is a traditional martial art of Korea, which has gained strength throughout Asia and the world.We believe that with the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Sports Authority of Vietnam =... Taekwondo will be widely popularized in Vietnam.
And in response to the desires and proposals from Vietnam, North Korea affirmed its readiness to cooperate in spreading martial arts in Vietnam, thereby enhancing the sports spirit among the Vietnamese people.
And in response to the wishes and proposals from Vietnam, North Korea affirmed its readiness to cooperate in spreading martial arts in Vietnam, thereby enhancing the spirit of sports among the Vietnamese people. The two sides took commemorative photos.
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Phan Tam affirmed: Taekwondo is indeed a very popular martial art in Vietnam.Vietnam has also sent many coaches to study and train in North Korea. In the near future, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will assign the Sports Authority of Vietnam and the International Cooperation Department to coordinate with the North Korean Embassy in Vietnam to promote deeper and broader cooperation in Taekwondo in particular, and other martial arts in general, especially in the strong sports of the North Korean side such as weightlifting, wrestling, judo, archery, volleyball, gymnastics, and boxing.
In the near future, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will assign the Vietnam Sports Administration and the International Cooperation Department to coordinate with the Embassy of North Korea in Vietnam to promote deeper and broader cooperation in Taekwondo in particular, and in many other martial arts in general, especially in the strengths of the North Korean side such as: Weightlifting, Wrestling, Judo, Archery, Volleyball, Gymnastics, and Boxing.
Deputy Director of the Sports Authority, Lê Thị Hoàng Yến, took commemorative photos with North Korean Taekwondo athletes.
The sports cooperation relationship between Vietnam and North Korea has been very good in recent years. In 2010, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and North Korea, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team traveled to Pyongyang to play friendly matches.On September 8, 2011, Deputy Minister Le Khanh Hai of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and Deputy Minister Son Kwang Ho of the Ministry of Sports of North Korea signed a five-year sports cooperation agreement for the period 2011-2015. In 2014, to prepare for ASIAD 17 Incheon, the Vietnamese wrestling team went to Pyongyang for training. Accepting an invitation from the Vietnam Football Federation, the North Korean national football team came to play a friendly match against the Vietnam national football team on September 3, 2014, in Hanoi.
Previously, Vietnam had invited wrestling and table tennis experts from North Korea to train the national team athletes.
North Korea is a strong country in sports such as: Weightlifting, Wrestling, Judo, Archery, Volleyball, Gymnastics, and Boxing. Although the country still faces many difficulties, North Korean sports are very strong. At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou 2023, North Korea won 39 medals (11 gold, 18 silver, 10 bronze), ranking 10th in the overall medal table of Asiad 19.
Overview of the meeting
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and North Korea (1950 - 2025), the Sports Auhtority in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in North Korea, has invited a Taekwondo martial arts delegation consisting of 20 members to perform in Thai Nguyen and Hanoi from April 19 to April 25, 2025.
Huyen Trang