On March 23, Lee Changho 9P defeated Hong Kipyo 4P by resignation    after 145 moves and won the 53rd Kuksu; he led the best-of-five series  by 3:1.

The 53rd Kuksu Awards Ceremony took place on April 2.

The championship prize is 45 Million Won (about $ 40,000) and

runner-up is 15 Million Won (about $13,323)

Also the 53rd Amateur Kuksu Awards Ceremony was held together. The champion is Song hongsuk 7D and the runner-up is Lee Hoseong 7D.

  ¡a Song hongsuk 7D,  Lee Changho 9P, Hong Kipyo 4P,  Lee Hoseong 7D

     (from left)

  ¡a Lee Changho 9P, vice president of Dong-A Ilbo, Hong Kipyo 4P

  ¡a "How many championships have you won?"(vice president of Dong-A Ilbo)

      "Well.."(Lee Changho 9P) 

  ¡a Awards Ceremony venue                          ¡a the scenery around venue (Seoul, Korea)