Prince Harry to send congratulatory video message for S. Korean sports event for wounded veterans

Seoul, September 24 - Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex from Britain, is set to send a video message celebrating the opening of a sports event for wounded service members in South Korea, officials confirmed on Thursday. The message will be played during the 60th edition of the National Disabled Veterans Sports Festival, which is scheduled to take place from October 13-15 in Suwon, located south of Seoul, according to an official from the Korea Disabled Veterans Organization.

This will be the first time the prince extends a video message for the local sports event. The annual festival, supported by the veterans ministry, began in 1967, making it the country's first contest for wounded service members. This year, around 1,400 athletes are expected to participate in various competitions, including lawn bowling, shooting, and archery.

The video message is meant to demonstrate Prince Harry's support for South Korea's 60-year commitment to aiding wounded, injured, and sick service members through sports, the official explained. In the video, Prince Harry is expected to emphasize the significance of the upcoming sports event and also discuss South Korea's hosting of the Invictus Games in Daejeon in 2029.

Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service members. The prince has attended every Invictus Games since its inception, and it is anticipated he will be present at the 2029 Games as well, according to a government source.

Negotiations between the South Korean government and the Invictus Games Foundation in Britain are ongoing to invite Prince Harry to a one-year countdown event in 2028, preceding the official launch of the 2029 Games, sources reveal. Daejeon, South Korea, situated approximately 140 kilometers south of Seoul, will be the first Asian city to host the Invictus Games. South Korea has participated in each Invictus Games since its debut at the 2022 edition in the Netherlands.