On the 30th of last month at the Cheongsong Nonghyup gateball court, seniors in brightly colored vests gripped their mallets and tracked each ball’s flight under the early‑summer sun. Cheers rose whenever a ball slipped through a gate, and during pauses players tapped one another’s shoulders and laughed.
Cheongsong Nonghyup, led by Chairman Kim Jong‑du, staged the 12th Cheongsong Nonghyup Senior Members and Members’ Families Gateball Tournament to promote seniors’ health and community ties. The event drew a strong turnout and wrapped up successfully.
Thirteen teams of senior members, representing towns and townships across the Cheongsong area, showcased years of practiced skill. Matches remained tense throughout, with veteran strategy and teamwork deciding the outcomes. In the end, Pacheon A captured the championship, Bunam B finished second, and Cheongsong B and Jinbo B tied for third.
Local officials attended to encourage the competitors, including Shim Sang‑hyu, chair of the Cheongsong County Council, and Shim Jong‑taek, president of the Cheongsong chapter of the Korean Senior Citizens Association. In brief remarks, Jung Wi‑yong, head of the Cheongsong branch of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, credited Cheongsong Nonghyup’s rapid growth to the dedication of its senior members.
Chairman Kim Jong‑du described the senior members and their families as “the roots and living witnesses of Cheongsong Nonghyup.” He pledged to expand welfare programs that improve members’ quality of life and support healthy aging, building on the cooperative’s business results.
