Joint Strategic Vision for India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership: Sports Exchanges from the Summit Blossom in Indian After-School Classrooms

India–Korea Partnership Brings Taekwondo to 2,600 Students from 25 Indian Schools

– Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) launches ‘Premium Taekwondo Course’ for 2,600 students across 25 schools

– Reflecting the spirit of the Joint Statement from the Bilateral Summit: Igniting tangible sports exchanges in the daily lives of Indian youth

– Establishing a model for ‘Character and Physical Education’ utilizing after-school hours, centered around 25 selected local schools

Following the adoption of the Joint Statement (MOU) during the Korea-India Bilateral Summit, which outlined the expansion of sports and cultural exchanges between the two nations, a concrete milestone translating this diplomatic commitment into the daily lives of local youth is now bearing fruit within the Indian education system.

To swiftly implement the diplomatic achievements of the summit at the local grassroots level, Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) announced that it has joined forces with the India Branch of Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) to launch the ‘2026 Elite After-School Taekwondo Education Program’. The initiative targets approximately 2,600 youth across 25 key schools in India.

In alignment with the heightened momentum of bilateral sports cooperation post-summit, this year’s project moves away from mere quantitative expansion. Instead, it focuses on ‘enhancing the quality of after-school education through selection and concentration’. KCCI carefully selected schools with a strong commitment to adopting Taekwondo, completely transforming the after-school hours into a ‘premium character and physical fitness program designed to nurture global talent’.

This program stands as a prime example of implementing the agreement on ‘promoting people-to-people exchanges and friendship through sports’ contained within the recently concluded India-ROK Joint Statement in the most accessible and high-density manner. Experts note that the macro-level achievements of summit diplomacy are seamlessly integrating into the micro-level routines of Indian youth, who sweat in their Taekwondo uniforms every week after regular classes, thereby creating a living, breathing arena for public diplomacy.

The 25 schools (enrolling approximately 2,600 practitioners) participating in this year’s Taekwondo classes comprise prominent local institutions in New Delhi and other major hub regions. Through this after-school curriculum, Indian students master not only the dynamic techniques of Taekwondo but also the core Korean values of etiquette, respect, and indomitable spirit. Local educators have highly praised KCCI’s after-school Taekwondo program, stating that it serves as an unrivaled alternative for character building and emotional stability, alongside physical development, for Indian youth facing high academic stress.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India said, “The Taekwondo education – featuring Korea’s national martial art and an official Olympic sport – will serve as a catalyst to further enhance mutual friendship and expand people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.”