Hwaseong City Promotes Filial Piety and Community Through Go, Hosts '2026 King Jeongjo Filial Piety National Go Festival'
Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) announced that the '2026 King Jeongjo Filial Piety National Go Festival' held on the 3rd at the Dongtan Yeouleul Park soccer field concluded successfully with approximately 950 go enthusiasts and families from across the nation in attendance.
The festival was organized to promote go culture and to carry forward the spirit of filial piety embodied by King Jeongjo. It was hosted by the Hwaseong Special City Sports Association and jointly organized by the Korea Baduk Association, Gyeonggi Province Baduk Association, and Hwaseong City Baduk Association, with Hwaseong Special City serving as a supporting organization.
The opening ceremony, held at 10:30 a.m., was attended by key dignitaries including Mayor Jung Myung-geun, City Council Speaker Lee Gye-chul, city councilors, Hwaseong Special City Sports Association Chairman Park Jong-seon, and officials from the baduk associations, who offered encouragement to participants. Following opening remarks and congratulatory addresses, the official declaration and player oath were conducted to mark the start of the tournament.
Competitions were divided into national divisions and Hwaseong regional divisions and operated in various categories according to age and skill level. The national division featured youth, middle-aged, senior divisions, women's championship division, junior championship division, women's three-person team competitions, and elementary general categories, while the regional division included Hwaseong citizen fair division, three-person team competitions, and kindergarten and elementary school matches.
In particular, the family fair division, in which families or relatives participated as two-person teams, provided an opportunity for families to communicate through go and coordinate with one another. The event gained added significance as diverse generations from children to elderly participated in matches together, showcasing their skills and fostering exchanges.
Beyond the matches, ancillary events were arranged for participants and citizens to enjoy together. A fan signing event with professional go player Jo Yeon-woo and a pre-event calligraphy performance were held, and a calligraphy experience booth was also operated to provide entertainment for families visiting the venue.
Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong Special City stated, "The special significance of this festival is that generations communicate and come to understand one another through go in Hwaseong, where the filial piety of King Jeongjo is enshrined." He continued, "I hope children and elderly alike will enjoy matches together and create precious memories with their families, and I urge you to take interest in the King Jeongjo Filial Piety Culture Festival and the Royal Procession while enjoying the history and culture of Hwaseong."
Meanwhile, from October 3rd to 4th, the King Jeongjo Filial Piety Culture Festival and the Royal Procession were held at the King Jeongjo Filial Piety Park, providing participants in the go festival with an opportunity to experience the spirit of filial piety of King Jeongjo and the history and culture of Hwaseong.
Hwaseong Special City plans to continue supporting various life sports and traditional cultural events including go, aiming to expand conditions for 1.08 million residents to enjoy culture and sports together in their daily lives.