Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Korea, France mark 140 years of ties with women's esports camp in Seoul
A poster for Women in Esports Camp / Courtesy of French Embassy in Korea
By Kwon Mee-yoo
France and Korea will bring their top women's Valorant teams together for a two-week training camp in Seoul under a new cooperation program marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Women in Esports Camp runs in two stages. National Valorant tournaments open to both amateur and professional teams take place in France on Sept. 5 and 6, and in Korea on Sept. 19 and 20. The winning side in each country earns a place at the camp, to be held at Gen.G Global Academy in Seoul in December.
Participants will go through professional training and coaching sessions over two weeks, alongside cultural and professional exchange programs. The camp closes with a friendly match between the French and Korean teams, which will be streamed online.
The program is organized by the Cultural and Cooperation Section of the French Embassy in Korea together with Gen.G Esports, Gen.G Global Academy, France Esports, Women in Games France and Riot Games, with backing from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Institut français and the 140th Anniversary Patrons Committee.
It arrives as women's competition expands within the Valorant ecosystem through Riot Games' Game Changers circuit, a development the organizers cite as the backdrop for the project.
"Through this project, we aim to build on the strong ties that already connect the French and Korean esports ecosystems to advance gender equality in the sector in a meaningful way," said Pierre Morcos, counsellor for cooperation and cultural affairs at the embassy.
“By fostering exchanges, mentorship and networking opportunities between the two ecosystems, this initiative seeks to empower a new generation of women in esports and contribute to building a more open, diverse and innovative industry.”
Alexandre Dubé, vice president of France Esports, said the format combines competition, training and international cooperation. "By connecting the French and Korean ecosystems, the Women in Esports Camp will enable emerging players to develop their skills, benefit from professional guidance and build lasting relationships with international stakeholders," he said.
Lee Seung-hyun, director of Gen.G Global Academy, framed the camp as an exchange as much as a training program. "We hope this program will give more women the opportunity to take on new challenges in esports and foster lasting exchange and collaboration across borders," he said.
The project follows a 2024 collaboration that brought France's Team Vitality to Seoul for a boot camp with Gen.G Esports and Gen.G Global Academy.