The 12th CHOI YOUNG SEOK CUP INTERNATIONAL TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS PATTAYA 2025 was held at the Eastern National Sports Training Center in Pattaya City on 8-9 February.

Over 1,500 athletes from 9 countries, including Finland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Poland, Myanmar, as well as Thailand and Korea, are participating in the competition and showcasing their full abilities. Participants with the highest scores in this competition will earn the points required for selection to represent the Thai national team.

The opening ceremony on February 8 was attended by Mr. Hahm Jeong-han, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, Mr. Chatchai Choi, The head coach of the Thai national taekwondo team, Mrs. Sunju Lee, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand, Mr. Wuttisak Reumkitcharoen, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, Mr. Thanadit Raktabutr, Secretary-General of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, and Chuncheon Leisure and Taekwondo Organizing Committee.

Mr. Hahm stated that this international taekwondo competition holds even greater significance as it is being held in Pattaya, a resort town in the east that many Koreans enjoy visiting. He also expressed hope that emerging athletes will rise to the occasion and secure second or third gold medals, following the success of last year's taekwondo athletes who won back-to-back gold medals at the Olympic Games.

Furthermore, there were outstanding performances by the children's demonstration team from Korea and the demonstration team from Yongsan University, as well as a celebratory performance by singer Henny.

Meanwhile, the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand, as the sponsor of the competition, organized cultural activity booths for participants and their families in the stadium area. These booths featured Korean food, Korean folk games, Hanbok, and more. The center also continued to offer encouragement to all the athletes.