SEOUL, Korea (Feb. 15, 2023) - World Taekwondo today announced it will donate USD 30,000 to support recovery efforts in Türkiye and the Taekwondo community affected by the recent devastating earthquake.

 

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue visited the Turkish embassy in Seoul to meet with Turkish ambassador Murat Tamer and make the donation. President Choue was joined by World Taekwondo Secretary General Jeongkang Seo and World Taekwondo Senior Advisor, former Ambassador Youngsun Kim.

 

While at the embassy, the President also held a video conference with President of the Türkiye Taekwondo Federation and World Taekwondo Council Member Metin Sahin, and World Taekwondo Auditor Ali Sagirkaya. Mr. Sahin and members of the Türkiye Taekwondo Federation are onsite at earthquake-affected areas to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

 

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said:

 

“World Taekwondo stands in solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria. As emergency relief efforts focus on providing aid to the victims affected by the terrible earthquakes, the support of the international community is needed more than ever. We will continue to provide all the assistance we can and our thoughts and condolences are with those who have been so tragically impacted by this disaster.”

 

Mr. Sahin told President Choue and Ambassador Tamer that they had lost some members of the Türkiye Taekwondo community due to the disaster.  He and Mr. Sagirkaya expressed their appreciation to World Taekwondo for the emotional support that they have received as well as for the donation.

 

Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer, in thanking President Choue for the donation, said:

 

“The support that we have received here in the Republic of Korea has been genuine and overwhelming. We wish to thank World Taekwondo for your support. At the moment, there is a need for psychological and emotional support as well and I believe that Taekwondo has the power to help in such difficult times.”