Hana Bank Makes Its Move, Stepping Up as Title Sponsor of Korea Baduk League

[Financial News] Hana Bank is expanding its support for professional Go by stepping up as the new title sponsor of the Korea Baduk League. It plans to extend its support for Go, which it has continued through children’s events, to the domestic professional league and help make league operations more fan-centered. 
According to financial industry sources on the 7th, Hana Bank held a title sponsorship signing ceremony with the Korea Baduk Association for the “2026-2027 Hana Bank Korea Baduk League” the previous day at the association’s headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. 
The event was attended by Hana Bank President Lee Ho-sung, Korea Baduk Association Chairman Jeong Tae-sun, and professional players Shin Jin-seo and Kim Eun-ji, among others. 
The Korea Baduk League is a leading domestic professional Go league organized and hosted by the Korea Baduk Association and broadcast by Baduk TV. The league’s official name for the new season is the “Hana Bank Korea Baduk League.”
At the signing ceremony, Lee said, “I am pleased that Hana Bank is joining as a new partner of the Korea Baduk League,” adding, “By supporting fan-centered league operations, we will actively take part in expanding the reach of Korean Go and its globalization, and lend our support.” 
The two organizations plan to revamp league operations for the new season so fans can cheer on Go teams and professional players from closer up. They aim to make the league more “fan-centered” by increasing the scale of the official opening ceremony and giving separate recognition to regular-season achievements, among other steps to boost fan interest and participation. 
Hana Bank has supported Go by holding events such as the “Hana Bank Baduk Super Match (SUPER MATCH)” and the “Children’s Go Festival.” In May this year, it held the “2026 Hana Bank Children’s Go Festival.” With its participation as title sponsor of the Korea Baduk League, Hana Bank plans to expand its support from youth players to the professional level and help broaden the reach of Go. 


[email protected] Lee Hyun-jung Reporter