The Korean Cultural Center in Thailand is working to strengthen sports cooperation between Korea and Thailand through high-level diplomatic meetings. Ms. Sunju Lee, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand, recently held important discussions with senior officials from Thailand's sports governing body to explore new avenues for bilateral athletic collaboration.
On August 19, Ms. Lee met with Dr. Meechai Inwood, Deputy Governor for Administration of the Sports Authority of Thailand, and Mr. Suwit Kerdbumrung, Director of Doping Control Agency of Thailand, at the Sports Authority of Thailand headquarters. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between the two countries in various aspects of sports development and management.
During the discussions, Ms. Lee proposed that Korea and Thailand should further expand their cooperation in elite sports exchanges as a form of soft power diplomacy. She emphasized the potential for both countries to benefit from sharing expertise, training methods, and athletic development programs. Additionally, she suggested exploring collaborative opportunities to promote sports for all citizens as a response to shared demographic challenges, including declining birth rates and aging populations that both nations are currently facing.
A significant topic of discussion was the upcoming World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) General Assembly scheduled to be held in Busan, South Korea, this December. This event marks a historic milestone as it will be the first WADA General Assembly of its kind to be held in Asia. Ms. Lee sincerely requested the cooperation and participation of the Thai delegation in this important international meeting, highlighting the significance of Asian representation at this global sports governance event.
Dr. Meechai Inwood responded positively to the proposals, highlighting the long-standing relationship between Thailand and the Korea Anti-Doping Agency. He expressed strong hope for continued cooperation between the two countries in the field of sports, with the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand serving as a key facilitator for future collaborative efforts. The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to explore concrete steps for implementing the proposed cooperation initiatives.
