World Children's Taekwondo Union (WCTU) Partners with Saeam Children's Taekwondo Demonstration Team

Fostering Cultural Diplomacy through the Spirit of Taekwondo and the Next Generation

2025-08-01 강범수 기자

The World Children's Taekwondo Federation (President Lee Sang-gi) and the Gangdong-gu Taekwondo Association (Chairman Ji Hyun-chul) held an MOU signing ceremony on July 31 at the headquarters of the World Children's Taekwondo Federation located in Gangnam-gu./Photo courtesy of the World Children's Taekwondo Federation.

On July 31, the World Children's Taekwondo Union (WCTU) announced a strategic partnership with the Saeam Children’s Taekwondo Demonstration Team, a group with a 28-year tradition operated by the Gangdong-gu Taekwondo Association and supported by the Gangdong District Office.

The two organizations signed an MOU based on their shared vision of positioning Taekwondo as a core pillar of South Korea’s cultural diplomacy, in line with the national agenda promoted by the Lee Jae-myung administration to establish South Korea as a “global cultural powerhouse led by K-culture.”

They agreed that children's Taekwondo demonstration teams go beyond expanding the sport’s base—they can serve as a cultural platform vital to the globalization and industrialization of Taekwondo.

“Saeam” as a Symbol of Growth and Spirit

Poster of the World Children's and Youth Culture and Arts Festival, sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Culture Promotion Agency (K-Culture Promotion Agency)/Photo courtesy of Loverock.

The name Saeam (샘) means "spring" or "fountain" in Korean, symbolizing the source of life and spiritual vitality. This aligns closely with the core values of the World Children's Taekwondo Union, making the partnership particularly meaningful.

Stepping Onto the Global Stage: August & September Events

A collection of photos showcasing the history of the Saeam Children's Taekwondo Demonstration Team's activities/Photo courtesy of the Gangdong-gu Taekwondo Association.

The Saeam Children’s Demonstration Team will participate in the upcoming 2025 Global Children's and Youth Arts Festival in Seoul, to be held on August 16 at Seoul City Hall. The festival, which includes youth arts groups from 10 countries, has been selected as an official program under Seoul’s Private Festival Development Initiative.

The event is co-hosted by the Love Rock Cultural Arts Lifelong Education Center, the International Rhythm Gymnastics Association, the Korea Rhythm Gymnastics Association, and the World Cultural Arts Exchange Committee. It will be directed and organized by Kim Ji-yeon, Chair of the WCTU’s Culture and Arts Committee and Head of the World Cultural Arts Exchange Committee. She will also personally coach and prepare the Saeam team for their international performance.

Promotional poster for the 2025 Muju Taekids Culture Festa/Photo courtesy of the World Children's Taekwondo Federation.

Additionally, the Saeam team is scheduled to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Muju Taerini Festa, which will take place from September 12 to 14 in Muju-eup—recognized as a symbolic city of Taekwondo. The event is hosted by the WCTU with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Muju County.

Building a National Children's Taekwondo Culture Brand

Through these high-profile appearances and international collaborations, the WCTU aims to nurture the Saeam Demonstration Team into one of Korea’s leading children’s Taekwondo culture ambassadors.

Choi Kyu‑hyun, Reporter

kh.choi@nvp.co.kr