31.07.2015

North Korea To Join the FIDE

The President of the International Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov visited the Democratic People's Republic of the Korea from 28the to 31st July.  The main purpose of the visit to Pyongyang was to reach the agreements on the establishment of the National Chess Federation and its joining the FIDE.
However, at first the FIDE delegation visited the "mandatory for foreign guests" places, such as the Man'gyŏngdae village with the Memorial House-Museum of Kim Il Sung, Juche Stele and the main memorial centre Kumsusan that serves as the Mausoleum for the two leaders of the DPRK Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

After that, Ilyumzhinov met with Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Council Yang Hyong-sop at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. The head of FIDE told about the history, the general activities of the Federation and of the prospects of bilateral cooperation, including the tangible and technical assistance that FIDE can provide for the successful functioning of the Chess Federation of the DPRK at the initial phase.
After the conclusion of the meeting, The Chairman Yang Hyun Seb said that "chess was a very good intellectual sport" and that "the North Korean side has nothing against joining the FIDE."  Incidentally, Ilyumzhinov asked the Chairman to pass the Kalmyk chess set to the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un as the present.
Afterwards the head of FIDE held talks with the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of North Korea Son Kwang-ho and the Secretary General of the Association of Korean at the People's Palace of Culture.  In particular, the Secretary General said that there are 30 thousand registered players in the country and approximately 80% of North Korean population could play the ancient game.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov will tell about his impressions about his visit to the DPRK, as well as his visions about the plans for the reunification of North and South Korea in the next release of his personal column.

 

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