Chungcheongbuk-do Emerges as an International Hub for Drone Sports with the World Drone Sports Federation… The 2nd 2026 WDSF International Drone Sports Competition Successfully Concludes
Jointly Hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Chungcheongbuk-do Province… World Drone Sports Federation Advances the Globalization of K-Drone Sports through the Drone Demonstration City Development Project
The 2nd 2026 WDSF International Drone Sports Competition, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Chungcheongbuk-do Province, was successfully held from August 1 to 2 at Cheongju Gymnasium and the area surrounding Hanbeol Elementary School.
The competition was organized as part of the drone leisure sports program under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s 2026 Drone Demonstration City Development Project. It was jointly organized by the World Drone Sports Federation (WDSF), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju University, Drone Division Co., Ltd., Skybot Co., Ltd., and the Korea Unmanned Aircraft Safety Association.
Approximately 250 athletes, referees, and event staff from Korea and abroad participated in four events—drone basketball, indoor drone racing, professional FPV drone racing, and drone weightlifting. Over the two-day competition, participants demonstrated their skills and highlighted the future potential of drone sports.
The opening program began with celebratory performances by singer Song Ari and Lee Da-woon, who also served as the event host, further heightening the excitement of the competition.
The official opening ceremony was attended by representatives from government-related organizations, including the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government, the Chungcheongbuk-do Office of Education, Cheongju Urban Development Corporation, industry representatives, and international delegations, all of whom celebrated the successful opening of the international competition.
Among the distinguished guests were Chungcheongbuk-do Governor Shin Yong-han, Chungcheongbuk-do Superintendent of Education Yoon Kun-young, Lim Dong-hyun, Chair of the Science and Economy Committee of the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Council, Yoo Jae-soo, Acting President of Chungbuk National University, Hong Yang-hee, Vice President of Cheongju University, Yoo Woon-gi, President of Cheongju Urban Development Corporation, Dong Jung-young, Chairman of the Korea Security Association, Shin Seung-jin, Acting President of the Cheongju Sports Council, and Kim Jin-gyun, former President of the Cheongju Sports Council.
The Chinese delegation included Director Wa Rae-saeng of the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, Director Zhang Jeong-pyeong of the Hangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, and General Manager Jin Wi-dong of Santai Unmanned Aviation Group. Their participation reaffirmed a shared commitment to expanding Korea–China cooperation in drone sports.
In addition, foreign military officers and their families from ten countries—Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, the Philippines, Mongolia, and the United States—who are currently studying at the Republic of Korea Naval War College attended the event, adding further significance to international sports exchange.
The competition was also successfully operated through the support and cooperation of various institutions and companies.
Lee Jae-hwan, CEO of Woosung Apparel, sponsored prizes for the competition, while Yoo Bong-seok, CEO of Jun Rental, provided prize money to encourage and motivate the athletes. Choi Young-gi, CEO of News Chungbuk and Vice President of the World Drone Sports Federation, also provided extensive support in publicity, event operations, and venue coordination.
A number of key figures who have contributed to the development of drone sports attended the event. They included Kim Jong-bok, President of the Korea Unmanned Aircraft Safety Association; Seo Il-soo, Vice President of the Korea Drone Innovation Association; Kim Hang-sik, Secretary-General of the Korea Model Aircraft Association; Professor Lee Byung-seok of Soonchunhyang University; Professor Woo In-sung of Daejeon Health University; Choi Jong-cheol, CEO of Drone Magazine; Kim Kyung-hwan, CEO of Safe Landing Co., Ltd.; Kwon Jun-beom, CEO of GA Co., Ltd.; Seo Yoon-ho, CEO of Sujeong Entertainment; Hwang Soon-yong, Director of the Korea Project Management Institute; and Kim Moon-kyo, Chairman of CAM Broadcasting. They congratulated the organizers on the successful hosting of the competition.
In particular, Woo Hyun-ho, President of the World Drone Sports Federation, was recognized for laying the foundation for the successful international competition by preparing and promoting the drone leisure sports project for approximately three years in order to bring the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Drone Demonstration City Development Project to Chungcheongbuk-do Province.
Key working-level officials also contributed to the planning and operation of the competition. They included Team Leader Kim Yeon-oh and Officer Kim Jong-woon of the New Industry Division of the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government, Professor Son Hyun-cheol of Chungbuk National University, Professor Park Chang-woo of Cheongju University, Director Jeong Han-young of Drone Division Co., Ltd., and Research Center Director Park Hyo-sun of Skybot Co., Ltd.
Several companies that were unable to attend the event also contributed through sponsorship. Kang Byung-ho, CEO of Aero K Airlines, provided 2,000 bottles of water for athletes and visitors, while Kim Hyun-joo, CEO of Chungbuk Cheongju FC, sponsored autographed footballs as event prizes, supporting the promotion of drone sports.
Korean-Developed Competition Rules and Systems Prove Their Competitiveness on the International Stage
The World Drone Sports Federation independently developed drone basketball competition rules and an event management system in 2024. Since then, the federation has continued to verify and improve the competition framework through the first international competition in 2025, domestic demonstration events, and international exhibition matches held in Vietnam and China.
In particular, the federation promoted this year’s competition at an international event held in Shenzhen, China, in May. This led officials and athletes from Hangzhou, China, to participate directly in the competition, including a friendly drone basketball match and professional drone racing, further expanding international cooperation.
The four events—drone basketball, indoor drone racing, professional drone racing, and drone weightlifting—were operated in accordance with international standards. The competition once again demonstrated the excellence of Korea’s independently developed drone sports competition system and was jointly conducted in cooperation with the Korea Model Aircraft Association.
In his congratulatory remarks, Chungcheongbuk-do Governor Shin Yong-han said:
“Drones are a key technology of the future, expanding beyond leisure into logistics, disaster response, agriculture, and many other industries. I hope this competition will provide residents with an opportunity to become more familiar with advanced drone technology and give young people a meaningful chance to experience a future industry firsthand.”
On behalf of Superintendent Yoon Kun-young, Director-General Chae Sook-hee emphasized the importance of cultivating future drone professionals through drone sports. Lim Dong-hyun, Chair of the Science and Economy Committee, also encouraged the participating athletes and expressed support for the development of Chungcheongbuk-do as a hub for the convergence of the drone industry, sports, and related technologies.
This year, Chungcheongbuk-do Province was selected for the drone leisure sports sector of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Drone Demonstration City Development Project. Through the international competition and various demonstration projects, the province plans to further expand the foundation of the drone industry and accelerate the creation of a future mobility industrial ecosystem.
Woo Hyun-ho, President of the World Drone Sports Federation, said: “This international competition was meaningful because it once again verified the international operating framework for drone sports, including the drone basketball competition rules and event management system developed in Korea. We will continue to develop new drone sports events and pursue international standardization so that Korea can take the lead in the global drone sports industry.”
The federation plans to introduce drone basketball competition rules and its event management system in Hangzhou, China, in September, followed by a Korea–China drone sports exchange competition in January 2027.
It will also operate a regional drone sports league and public experience zone during the Cheongwon Life Festival from October 2 to 11, and host the Pocheon Mayor’s Cup Drone Sports Competition on November 1. Through these programs, the federation plans to continue expanding the domestic and international foundation of drone sports and strengthening international exchange.
The education sector has evaluated the competition as more than a sporting event, recognizing it as a model that integrates drone technology education, future talent development, regional industrial growth, and international exchange.
Detailed information on event rankings and competition records is available on the official website of the World Drone Sports Federation at: https://www.w-dsf.com