Speaker attends National Assembly soccer tournament, cheers on players and performs ceremonial kick

Provided by the Office of the National Assembly Speaker
Provided by the Office of the National Assembly Speaker

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik attended the inauguration of the National Assembly Soccer Federation's new president and a ruling-opposition lawmakers' soccer tournament held Wednesday afternoon at the National Assembly sports ground, where he cheered on players and performed the ceremonial kickoff.

In his congratulatory remarks, Cho said he sincerely congratulated incoming President Seo Sam-seok on taking office, adding that it was "a truly heartening sight" to see so many ruling and opposition lawmakers gathered together for such a grand inauguration ceremony.

He also said the essence of soccer lies in "tiki-taka" — the style of play built on sharp passing, teamwork and collective movement — and that he believed the same spirit defined the National Assembly Soccer Federation.

Cho said the lawmakers' faces all looked bright when he saw them on the pitch, calling that energy the very spirit of unity and cooperation in the National Assembly and crediting the federation with helping to foster it.

He added that he hoped the federation would continue to grow and play a greater role in encouraging ruling and opposition parties to communicate more and work together toward unity and cooperative governance.


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