Both body and mind must be healthy
The following are excerpts from an article contributed by Director Seo Hyo-seok of Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital to the vernacular daily newspaper Chosun Ilbo.—Ed.
By Director Seo Hyo-seok of Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital
Children in the world have a lot of problems due to addiction to Internet games.
Instead of playing computer games, what I would recommend to them is 'Baduk (Go)'.
In Baduk, there is politeness, no killing, and patience.
The term 'Jeongseok', which is learned while playing Baduk, refers to the best number of wins in both attack and defense, rather than just winning alone. And in Baduk, life itself is contained.
Baduk is a game that builds a lot of discipline in terms of mental health.
Rather than winning or losing, there is joy and a sense of accomplishment in the process of doing one's best, and there is a realization of life.
Why is Korean Medicine Hospital holding the World Baduk Championship?
I have hosted the Pyunkang World Baduk Tournament for the past 7 years.
Anyone with the 6th level or higher amateur can participate in the contest. There is no time and space restriction because the game is played through the Internet.
Although most of the participants are amateur Baduk players from Korea, China, and Japan, the door is open to all Baduk lovers around the world.
And I bet a prize money in this Baduk tournament from the first time, and the amount of prize money has been raised every year for 7 years. The prize money, which was 30 million won in the first year, exceeded 100 million won nowadays.
There are four reasons why I hold the World Baduk Tournament.
First, it aims to help improve human mental health, and second, it aims to contribute to the promotion of world peace by communicating with people around the world through the common language of Baduk.
Third, I return the profits from Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital to society. Fourth, I am a Baduk lover myself.
President Xi Jinping's outstanding choice
It is a well-known fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping is a fan of Baduk, and I think it is very significant that Xi recently recommended Chinese diplomats abroad to learn Baduk.
It means to use Baduk for diplomacy by learning Baduk, where there is coexistence and foresight. I think it's a great idea just like President Xi Jinping who has a deep understanding of Baduk.
In addition, President Xi's decision to teach Baduk in the elementary school curriculum is an even better policy, which I deeply sympathize with.
The fact that children's favorite hobby is a heartless, competitive, and violent computer game without emotion is not a problem for any one country or individual, but a serious problem that people all over the world should consider.
As one of these solutions, President Xi's teaching of Baduk to children is an outstanding policy that demonstrates his pioneering spirit.