South Korea’s Badminton Ambitions: A Case for Hosting the World Championships
South Korea has emerged as a badminton powerhouse, consistently achieving success on the international stage. Despite a rich history of success in the Badminton World Championships – with a total of 14 gold medals, ranking third globally behind China (72 gold medals) and Indonesia (23 gold medals)1 – the nation has surprisingly never hosted the event. As Korean badminton enjoys a new golden era, fueled by stars like An Se-young and the men’s doubles team of Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho, a compelling case can be made for bringing the World Championships to South Korea.
A Rising Force in Badminton
The recent success of Korean badminton is undeniable. At the 2025 TotalEnergies BWF World Tour Finals in China, Korean athletes demonstrated their dominance, winning three events – women’s singles (An Se-young), men’s doubles (Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho) and women’s doubles (Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na)4. This performance followed a strong showing at the 2025 Sudirman Cup, where Korea reached the final before being defeated by China 3-11. The achievements have sparked national pride, with President Lee Jae-myung even congratulating the World Tour Finals winners4.
A History of Success Away From Home
Despite its consistent success, Korea’s 14 World Championship gold medals have all been won on foreign soil. The World Championships, held annually except in Olympic years, have been hosted in various countries over the past decade, including Scotland, China, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, Denmark, and France4. It’s a pattern often seen in sports, where strong nations frequently host major championships, maximizing both success and spectator enthusiasm.
The Case for Hosting in South Korea
The popularity of badminton in South Korea is significant, with a dedicated fan base that closely follows its elite players. Hosting the World Championships in a major city like Seoul would likely draw large crowds and create a vibrant atmosphere. The success of recent events like the short track World Championships in Seoul (2023) and the World Archery Championships in Gwangju demonstrate South Korea’s capability to host world-class sporting events3.
Addressing Potential Concerns
Whereas the Korea Badminton Association may face challenges in hosting the event independently, collaboration with the government could produce it a reality. Concerns regarding logistical issues, such as those recently raised about the 2025 World Championships in New Delhi, India – specifically hygiene and stadium facilities3 – can be proactively addressed with careful planning, and investment.
A Moment to Inspire
The prospect of witnessing An Se-young, Seo Seung-jae, Kim Won-ho, and other Korean stars competing for world titles on home soil is an exciting one for badminton fans. Hosting the World Championships would not only showcase Korea’s badminton prowess but also inspire a new generation of players and further elevate the sport’s profile within the country.
The 2025 Sudirman Cup was held in Xiamen, China between April 27 and May 4, 20252. China won their 14th title at the event, defeating South Korea in the final1.