''TAEKWONDO POLICE – THE PROTECTOR OF GLOBAL CITIZENS''

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh (Head of Delegation), Vice President cum General Secretary of Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association, Deputy Director of the Political Work Department, Vietnam Ministry of Public Security. (Photo: WAJ)

During the working visit of all parties at Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy, WAJ reporter had a conversation with Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh (Head of Delegation), Vice President cum General Secretary of Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association, Deputy Director of the Political Work Department, Vietnam Ministry of Public Security.

WAJ: Madam, after South Korea, Vietnam's Taekwondo is considered quite strong in Southeast Asia, with athletes bringing glory to Vietnam such as: Olympic Silver Medalist Tran Hieu Ngan, ASIAD XII Gold Medalist Tran Quang Ha, multiple SEA Games Gold Medalist Nguyen Van Hung... In 2024, Vietnam is going to host the Asian Police Taekwondo Open Championships for the first time. What are Vietnam's expectations for this international tournament?

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh: With the slogan "Power of Police - Taekwondo Police – The Protector of Global Citizens", the Organizing Committee expects that the 2024 Asian Police Taekwondo Open Championships in Vietnam will be an opportunity to affirm the capability and talent of People's Police officers and soldiers, while promoting Vietnam's image to international friends, contributing to enhancing the prestige of Vietnam's People's Police force and honoring the unity of Taekwondo police forces worldwide.

Like other Police Taekwondo teams from various countries, Vietnam Ministry of Public Security's Taekwondo team also wishes to contribute high-level matches, deliver spectacular performances for spectators, and hopes to win many medals and achieve high rankings in this tournament.

WAJ: The newly established Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association demonstrates the cooperation between police forces and civilians in Vietnamese and international sports activities. Could you please share the association's plans for international development in the future?

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh: After more than 10 months of operation since its establishment, Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association has made significant progress, making its mark in domestic and international sports. The Association's athletes have achieved outstanding results in many domestic and international competitions in traditional and strong sports such as shooting, martial arts, athletics, swimming, football, volleyball, 3x3 basketball and table tennis. Typical athletes from People's Police Sports include Trinh Thu Vinh, a national shooting team member who excellently ranked 4th in women's sports pistol at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh and President Bang Seung Ho of the World Police Taekwondo Federation, announcing the 2024 Asian Police Taekwondo Open Championships in Vietnam to Mr. Lee Dong Sup, President of Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Academy. (Photo: WAJ)

The 2024 Asian Police Taekwondo Open Championships will be an important step in affirming the position of the Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association on the international sports map and in diplomatic relations between Vietnam, South Korea, and other countries in the region.

Following the policy of the Central Public Security Party Committee and the Ministry of Public Security on strengthening foreign relations and international cooperation, including in sports, through cooperation, hosting, and competing in high-achievement sports, the Vietnam People's Police force has opportunities to exchange and integrate with police forces worldwide, thereby promoting the image of Vietnam's People's Police force and enhancing Vietnam's position and its People's Police force internationally.

In the coming time, the Vietnam People's Public Security Sports Association will focus on consolidating its organizational structure while strengthening cooperative agreements in sports; organizing international sports events and sending coaches and athletes to participate in regional and international sports events. This provides opportunities for training, competition experience, and improving competitive abilities; building sustainable and professional People's Police sports, contributing to improving Vietnam's sports achievements, gradually approaching and reaching the level of countries with developed sports in the continent and worldwide.

WAJ: May I ask you a rather personal question, madam? As a female leader of a police sports organization, do you face much pressure in your work, and how do you overcome it?

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh: I always recognize that being in the ranks of Vietnam's People's Police is a great honor not only for me but for my family and clan. Therefore, I always determine that when assigned by the organization to work in any position, I will strive and seek the most optimal methods to assist leaders at all levels in successfully completing assigned tasks.

 Vietnam's Police Taekwondo is making efforts to gradually position itself in the international arena. (Photo: WAJ)

As a female leader in charge of sports management, I personally don't feel much pressure in my work. However, this is a new field for me, so I always contemplate how to advise the Ministry of Public Security's leadership on improving Vietnam People's Police sports achievements domestically and internationally. Therefore, since taking on this duty, I have researched and consolidated knowledge about sports in general and People's Police sports in particular; working with colleagues to advise on planning and solutions to gradually contribute to improving Vietnam People's Police sports achievements. Additionally, gradually coordinating with partners to host and organize international sports events. Through this, Vietnam's People's Police force has opportunities for exchange and integration with police forces worldwide, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam's People's Police force and enhancing Vietnam's position and its People's Police force internationally.

WAJ: Thank you very much, madam!

Seoul, November 8, 2024