nThe Go world of Korea and China has plunged into a diplomatic chill following a controversial incident at the 29th LG Cup Finals. The tension escalated when China’s top player, LG Cup Finals, where Ke Jie was warned twice for not placing the stone he won in the designated area. In the third game, after another warning, Ke Jie chose to abstain, citing his inability to comprehend the ‘Seok Management’ rules. This decision has been met with strong resistance from the chinese Go association, which has as delayed the first leg of the World’s Best Article competition, originally scheduled for early February, due to China’s absence.
The Chinese Go Association has also taken a more drastic step by banning foreign players from participating in the China instantly after the Lunar New Year holidays to negotiate a resolution.
The table below summarizes the key events and actions taken by both associations:
| Event/action | Details |
|————————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| 29th LG Cup Finals | Ke Jie abstains due to ‘Seok Management’ dispute |
| World’s Best Article Competition | Delayed due to China’s absence |
| 2025 Chinese Gap | Foreign players banned, targeting Korean professionals |
| Korean Go Association Apology | Issued on January 28 |
| Emergency Steering Committee Meeting | Scheduled for February 3 to review ’Seok Management’ regulations |
| Delegation to China | Planned post-Lunar New Year to negotiate resolution |
As the Go community watches closely, the outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for international Go competitions. Will the two associations find common ground, or will this incident deepen the rift between the Korean and Chinese Go worlds? Only time will tell.
diplomatic Tensions in the Go World: Korea and china Face Off Over ‘Seok Management’ Dispute
Table of Contents
The Go community is currently embroiled in a diplomatic crisis following the controversy at the 29th LG Cup Finals. The dispute, centered around the ‘Seok Management’ regulations, has led to a series of retaliatory actions, including China’s ban on foreign players from participating in the 2025 Chinese gap.To shed light on the situation, Senior Editor of world-today-news.com, John Peterson, sits down with Go expert and historian, Dr. Ji-hoon Kim, to discuss the escalating tensions between the Korean and Chinese Go associations.
The LG Cup Incident and the ‘Seok Management’ Dispute
John Peterson: Dr. kim, let’s start with the incident at the 29th LG Cup Finals. What exactly happened, and why did it escalate to this level?
Dr. Ji-hoon Kim: The incident occurred during the second game of the finals when Ke Jie 9p was warned twice for not placing his stone in the designated area as per the ‘Seok Management’ rules. In the third game, after another warning, he chose to abstain, citing confusion over the regulations.This decision was met with significant backlash from the Chinese Go Association, which viewed it as a slight against their players and their approach to the game.
China’s Retaliatory Measures
John Peterson: china has taken some drastic steps in response, including banning foreign players from the 2025 chinese Gap. How significant is this move, and who does it primarily affect?
Dr. Ji-hoon Kim: This is a significant move,especially for Korean players who have historically performed well in the Chinese Gap.Last year, seven Korean professionals, including Shin Jinseo and Byun Sangil 9p, participated in the tournament. The ban is clearly aimed at limiting Korean influence in the competition, which has been seen as a direct response to the LG Cup incident.
The Korean Go Association’s Response
John Peterson: The Korean Go Association has issued an apology and plans to hold an emergency steering committee meeting. What are they hoping to achieve?
Dr. Ji-hoon Kim: The apology was a necessary step to de-escalate tensions, but the real focus is on the emergency meeting scheduled for February 3. The committee will review the ‘Seok Management’ regulations,which have been at the heart of the dispute. There’s a possibility they may revise these rules to prevent similar incidents in the future. Additionally, the association plans to send a delegation to China after the Lunar new Year to negotiate a resolution.
Impact on International Go Competitions
John Peterson: What are the broader implications of this dispute for international Go competitions?
Dr. Ji-hoon Kim: The fallout from this incident could be far-reaching. If the two associations fail to resolve their differences, it could lead to a deeper rift between the Korean and Chinese Go worlds. This could affect not only future tournaments but also the collaborative spirit that has traditionally characterized the international Go community. The delay of the world’s Best Article competition is just one example of how this dispute is already impacting major events.
Looking Ahead
John Peterson: What’s your prediction for the outcome of these negotiations? Will the two associations find common ground?
Dr. Ji-hoon Kim: It’s hard to say at this point. Both sides have strong positions, but there’s also a shared interest in maintaining the integrity of international go competitions. The outcome will depend on how willing both associations are to compromise. If the Korean delegation can address the concerns raised by the Chinese Go association while also clarifying the ‘Seok Management’ rules, there’s a chance they can find a resolution. Though,if either side digs in their heels,the situation could worsen.
Conclusion
The diplomatic tensions between the Korean and Chinese go associations highlight the complexities of international collaboration in competitive sports. as both sides prepare for negotiations, the global go community watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that preserves the spirit of the game and fosters future cooperation.
