The 46th World Amateur Go Championship

Mayor of
Mungyeong City

Hak-hong Kim

Distinguished guests, honored dignitaries, and members of the global Go community, It is my great pleasure to host the 46th Mungyeong World Amateur Go Championship in Mungyeong, a city renowned for its splendid history and beautiful natural scenery.
I sincerely welcome all of you who have come to Mungyeong from around the world.
The World Amateur Go Championship has continued its tradition for nearly half a century and has established itself as a valuable festival where people come together through Go, transcending national borders, languages, and cultures. In particular, this 46th Championship will be a meaningful occasion to share with people around the world the values of wisdom, consideration, and harmony that Go embodies, and to pass those values on to future generations.
All of you gathered here today are outstanding amateur Go players representing your respective countries.
I hope you will fully demonstrate the skills you have cultivated through your hard work, enjoy wonderful games, and spend this occasion building friendships that go beyond victory and defeat.
Since ancient times, Mungyeong has been known as the gateway connecting Yeongnam and Hanyang, and as an open city where people and cultures met and communicated with one another.
During the Championship, I hope you will experience Mungyeong's beautiful natural scenery and diverse culture firsthand, and enjoy both the charm of Korea and the unique attractions of Mungyeong.
May your time here remain a cherished memory together with your passion for Go.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has worked so hard to make this Championship a success.
I wish all of the players every success and the very best throughout the competition.
Thank you.

Hak-hong Kim, Mayor of Mungyeong City

Chairman of the
Korea Baduk Association

Tae-soon Chung

Distinguished Go players and officials from around the world, and honored guests, It is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you gathered here today.

Today, Go has transcended national borders and languages to become a truly global intellectual sport and cultural activity enjoyed by people around the world. I sincerely hope that this championship will serve as an opportunity to further promote Go worldwide and enable more people to appreciate and enjoy its unique values.

I hope that all members of the global Go community gathered here will unite their vision and efforts to help establish Go as an official sport not only at the Asian Games, but also at major international multi-sport events such as the Olympic Games.

Furthermore, through the meetings of the International Go Federation (IGF) held during this championship, I hope that we may explore the future direction of the global Go community and further strengthen our cooperation.

I firmly believe that, if the global Go community works together with one shared purpose, we will be able to open a new chapter for the future of Go.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mungyeong City, the International Go Federation, the Korea Baduk Federation, and all those who have contributed their dedication and support to the successful organization of this championship.

I wish everyone here good health and continued success, and sincerely hope for the great success of the 46th World Amateur Go Championship.

Thank you.

Tae-soon Chung, President of Korea Baduk Federation

president of
Korea Baduk
Federation

Keun-yool Ha

Warm greetings to all Go players and enthusiasts around the world.
On behalf of the Korea Baduk Federation (KBF), it is my great privilege to host the 46th World Amateur Go Championship in Mungyeong—a city blessed with rich history and beautiful nature—co-hosted with the International Go Federation (IGF) and the Korea Baduk Association (KBA).
The championship will take place from September 6 to 13, 2026 in Mungyeong.
Representative players from all around the globe, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, and other else will gather here to engage in fierce competition.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mungyeong City, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), and Mungyeong Baduk Association for their generous support in ensuring the success of this event.
Alongside 'Korea Prime Minister Cup International Baduk Championship,' KBF aims to broaden the global foundation of Go through this World Amateur Go Championship and continuously provide a venue for harmony and exchange among Go players worldwide.
Go is an intellectual sport where people connect beyond language and national borders through Soodam (conversation thorugh hands).
Amidst intense competition, I hope all participants will fully demonstrate the skills they have diligently honed.
Beyond victory or defeat, I sincerely hope this will be a meaningful time to respect one another and build deep friendships.
Thrughout the championship, we will do our utmost to ensure that you can feel the warm hospitality of Korea and Mungyeong, competing comfortably and safely.
I wish all participants the best of luck, and hope for health and happiness in the homes of the entire global Go family.
Thank you.

Keun-yool Ha, President of Korea Baduk Federation

Chairman,
Mungyeong City Council

Jeong-sik Seo

On behalf of the citizens of Mungyeong, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the grand opening of ‘The 46th World Amateur Go Championship in Mungyeong,’ a global festival where the wisdom and skill of amateur Go masters from around the world come together.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Korea Baduk Association, the International Go Federation (IGF), the Korea Baduk Federation, and the officials of the Mungyeong-Si Baduk Association for their dedicated efforts in bringing about the successful opening of this meaningful tournament, held in Korea again after 12 years.
I also warmly welcome the delegations and distinguished guests who have traveled to Mungyeong from 53 countries for this event, known as the ‘Olympics of Amateur Go.’I hope that this tournament, in which friendships are formed across borders and languages through the elegant games of Black and White, will serve as an occasion to further the development of Go worldwide and to deepen international exchange and friendship.
I hope that during your stay, you will fully enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, including Mungyeong Saejae, and the rich cultural heritage of the region, and that you will take home unforgettable and meaningful memories of Mungyeong.
The Mungyeong City Council will continue to give its unwavering attention and support to hosting world-class sporting events and to building Mungyeong into a premier city where sports, culture, and tourism come together in harmony.
I wish all the athletes taking part in the tournament great success, and I hope that health and happiness will always fill your homes.
Thank you.

Intro