A high-level delegation from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) paid a courtesy visit to the International University Sport Federation, reaffirming the strong ties between the two institutions and their shared commitment to the development of international university sport.
The delegation was led by Seungmin Ryu, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2016 to 2024 and Olympic gold medallist in table tennis at the 2004 Athens Games. He was accompanied by Youngchan Kim, Director General of International Affairs, Wooyoung Yang, Director of President´s Office, and Sunghoon Jung, Head of the KSOC Lausanne Liaison Office.
The KSOC delegation was welcomed by FISU Deputy Secretary General Fernando Parente and Chief of Staff Hanspeter Wägli, alongside Jiho Kim, FISU Winter Games Senior Event Manager and fellow Korean national.
Though FISU President Leonz Eder and Secretary General/CEO Matthias Remund were unable to attend the meeting due to their participation in the Heads of Delegation gathering for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, they are expect to visit KSOC President soon in the Republic of Korea, particularly in the Chungcheong region, which will proudly host the FISU World University Games in 2027.
During the meeting, President Ryu expressed his strong personal commitment, and that of the KSOC, to promoting university sport and international cooperation. In response, FISU officials highlighted the Republic of Korea’s longstanding and impactful presence within the FISU family, particularly through the Korean University Sports Board (KUSB).
A strong contribution to FISU governance
Korea’s contribution to FISU governance over the decades has been substantial in different committees and working groups, with notable Korean FISU Executive Committee Members such as Chong-Yang Kim (1999–2015), Byong Jin You (2015–2023), and Hosung Chang (since 2023) playing key roles in shaping university sport worldwide.
An active FISU events organiser
The Republic of Korea has also been an active host of FISU events, having organised 2 Summer Universiade (Daegu 2003 and Gwangju 2015), the Winter Universiade in Chonju-Muju 1997, 2 World University Championships: Judo (Suwon, 2006) and Equestrian (Sangju, 2010), as well as the FISU Forum in Gwangju 2014. The upcoming FISU World University Games in 2027 in Chungcheong will mark another milestone in this fruitful partnership.
The meeting concluded with mutual expressions of appreciation and a shared desire to deepen collaboration, explore new joint initiatives, and continue strengthening the role of university sport in fostering global peace, education, and development.
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