On the 24th, the four cities and provinces in Chungcheong (Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam) held the inaugural meeting of the organizing committee for the Summer World University Games Summer 2027 at the International Conference Hall - Sejong Convention Center, marking the start of full-scale preparations for the event.
The event was attended by various officials including Lee Jang-woo (이장우 - the mayor of Daejeon), Choi Min-ho (최민호 - the mayor of Sejong City), Kim Young-hwan (김영환 - the governor of Chungbuk Province), Kim Tae-heum (김태흠 - the governor of Chungnam Province), as well as council members of the cities and provinces, sports association executives, and members of the National Assembly. The meeting covered the progress report on hosting the games, deliberation on the constitution, appointment of the organizing committee chairman, major agenda items, appointment of executive members, and a congratulatory performance.
The organizing committee is composed of 13 executive members (4 organizing committee chairmen, 1 vice chairman, 1 general secretary, and 7 executive members) and 165 representatives from various fields, including politics, sports, administration, economics, media, and social organizations (118 appointed members and 47 commissioned members).
The four governors of the Chungcheong region were appointed as co-chairmen of the organizing committee, and Lee Jang-woo, the mayor of Daejeon, was appointed as the chairman of the organizing committee in accordance with the rotation system to ensure smooth operation of the committee.
In addition, Lee Chang-sub (이창섭), a professor emeritus at Chungnam National University, was appointed as the vice chairman, Yoon Kang-ro (윤강로), director of the International Sports Diplomacy Research Institute, as the secretary general, and Im Shin-ja (임신자), the vice president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (대한체육회), the sports association presidents of the four cities in the Chungcheong region, and the director of the Sports Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Jang Ho-seong (장호성), were appointed as executive members.
Meanwhile, at the inaugural meeting, the articles of association and the 220 billion won ($185 million) business plan and budget for 2023, which are essential for the systematic operation of the organizing committee and preparation for the event, were approved.
The organizing committee, starting with this inaugural event, will obtain a corporate establishment permit and register, set up a 100-person office in Sejong City, and officially launch in mid-May.
The four cities in the Chungcheong region and the organizing committee plan to systematically prepare for all aspects of the event, including competition facilities and infrastructure, publicity and marketing, and volunteer resources, in order to accelerate preparations for the successful hosting of the 2027 event.
Mayor Lee Jang-woo expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated in the committee, saying, "I expect this event to raise the international status of the Chungcheong region, along with economic ripple effects of KRW 2.7 trillion, job creation of 10,000 people, and employment of 7,000 people."
He also urged the four cities in the Chungcheong region to work together based on the national experience of hosting international competitions, saying, "Let's successfully host the competition by joining forces and create a model case for international sports events."
Meanwhile, the "Chungcheong World University Games Summer 2027" will be hosted by the organizing committee in August 2027 in the Chungcheong region, and it is expected that 150 countries and more than 15,000 people will participate in 18 events.
