Second Vice Minister KIM Dae-hyun of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) attended the Team Korea Send-off Ceremony for the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics[1] held at 2 PM on October 22 (Wednesday), at Olympia Hall, Seoul Olympic Parktel, to deliver words of encouragement to the national para-sports athletes team competing in the Games. Around 250 participants attended the event, including athletes, coaches, as well as executives and officials from the Korea Deaf Sports Federation and Korea Paralympic Committee.

 The program included opening remarks, messages of encouragement and congratulation, an introduction to the national team, a team pledge, and the presentation of the national team flag, followed by congratulatory performances. In particular, Second Vice Minister also delivered a financial grant to encourage the delegation, wishing for their outstanding performance and safe competition.

The 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics will take place from November 15 to 26 in Tokyo, Japan, hosting competitions across 21 sports. This year’s event is particularly meaningful as it marks the centennial anniversary of the Deaflympic Games and Korea’s largest-ever delegation of 174 members, including 94 athletes, 43 coaching and competition staff, and 37 management officials. Korean athletes will compete with their global competitors in 12 sports, including athletics, judo, shooting, and tennis.

“I hope the sweat and efforts of our athletes over the years will bear fruit in the meaningful centennial Deaflympic Games,” commented Second Vice Minister KIM. “The ministry will continue to support our athletes so that they can safely compete and demonstrate their capabilities to the fullest.”