Pyongyang, September 12 (KCNA) -- The 17th ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships closed here Monday. The championships opened here on September 8.

It was a large event which contributed to preserving the orthodoxy of Taekwon-Do and improving the technique of Taekwon-Doists from various countries and showcased the will of all of them to further develop the martial arts.

A closing ceremony took place at the Taekwon-Do Hall on Monday.

Present there were Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kang Nung Su, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Pak Myong Chol, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, Kim Kyong Ho, chairman of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee, Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee who doubles as chairman of the organizing committee of the 17th ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships, officials concerned, President Jang Ung and vice-presidents of the ITF, Han Chun Hui, widow of Choe Hong Hui, former president of the ITF, members of the federation, players and guests of honor from various countries and regions, working people in the city and Taekwon-Do fans.

A letter of thanks to leader Kim Jong Il was adopted at the ceremony.

Ryang Man Gil in his closing address expressed belief that the participants would achieve greater successes in strengthening and developing Taekwon-Do in the future, too, before declaring the championships closed.

The closing ceremony was followed by an art performance hailing the successful close of the championships.