Korea anti-doping agency marks 20 years as Asian partners meet in Seoul

South Korea's culture ministry said Tuesday it will mark the 20th anniversary of the Korea Anti-Doping Agency this week with a ceremony and an international seminar in Seoul, drawing about 200 officials including the World Anti-Doping Agency's secretary general.

The events run Tuesday and Wednesday at Olympic Parktel and the National Library of Korea, with a special exhibition on clean sport opening at the library on Wednesday and continuing through Dec. 10.

Among those attending are Vice Culture Minister Kim Dae-hyun, National Sports Promotion Foundation Chairman Ha Hyung-joo, WADA Director General Olivier Niggli, and the heads of the Japanese and Saudi anti-doping committees, along with executives from anti-doping organizations in 25 Asian countries.

At Tuesday afternoon's ceremony, the agency plans to present awards to people who have contributed to anti-doping efforts and to declare a new vision. Won Yun-jong, a committee member who has served on athlete commissions at the International Olympic Committee and WADA, will receive a ministerial citation. Seven others, including Korea Institute of Science and Technology specialist Kim Ho-jun, doping control officers Lee Young-gil and Kang Sun-young, and education instructors Kim Seok-hyun and Yeon A-reum, will be recognized by the agency's chairman.

The seminar, bringing together about 60 domestic and foreign participants, will cover cooperation with international events such as the Asian Games and the Chungcheong Universiade, share practical experience in doping testing, and discuss ways to strengthen anti-doping capacity and build a regional cooperation framework in Asia.

The library exhibition, titled "Clean Sport: The Darkness of Doping and the Light of Fairness," traces the history and major cases of doping and highlights the agency's activities.

"I sincerely congratulate the Korea Anti-Doping Agency on its 20th anniversary, having kept faith that the thrill of sport begins with fair competition," Vice Minister Kim said. "We will spare no support so that Korea can continue to lead international anti-doping cooperation as an Asian board member of the World Anti-Doping Agency."