Park Jong-hoon has reached the level of 'Ip-sin' (入神) by attaining 9 dan. Ip-sin is a term meaning 'reached the level of a god in Go' and is an alias for 9 dan.

On 3rd last month, Park Jong-hoon defeated 9 dan Xu Haohong from Taipei, China, in the 2024-2025 KB Kookmin Bank Go League, adding 4 points to his promotion score and achieving a total score of 243, thus promoting to 9 dan.

Park Jong-hoon has reached the level of Ip-sin after 11 years since joining in 2014. Beginning with winning the 4th Hapcheon County Invitation Ha Chan-seok Cup Junior Go Tournament in 2016, he has been active on various stages, including winning the 2024 Super Cup Go Open. With Park Jong-hoon's promotion, the total number of active 9 dan players under the Korea Baduk Association has reached 108.

Kim Beom-seo also promoted to 6 dan after defeating 9 dan Oh Yu-jin in the finals of the 30th LG Cup Chosunilbo Tournament domestic selection on 30th last month. Kim Beom-seo enjoyed the joy of promotion while achieving the remarkable feat of reaching the main round for the first time in a world tournament.

In addition, Lee Hyun-jun and Heo Jin, both 5 dan, promoted by one rank, referred to as Tongyu (an alias for 6 dan), while Kim Kyung-eun and Choi Min-seo, both 4 dan, promoted by one rank, referred to as Yongji (an alias for 5 dan). Kim Joo-ah, 3 dan, promoted by one rank, referred to as Sogyo (an alias for 4 dan), while Ko Mi-so and Kim Ki-eon, both 2 dan, promoted by one rank, referred to as Turyuk (an alias for 3 dan). Yun Da-woo, Ina-hyeon, and Han Joo-young, all 1 dan, succeeded in their first promotion after joining by reaching the alias Yagu (an alias for 2 dan).

According to the promotion regulations of the Korea Baduk Association, 4 points are awarded for a victory in comprehensive competitions (including the KB League and the Chinese League), while 1 point is awarded for victories in the Korea Professional Go Association League and limited competitions (novice, female, and senior competitions).

[List of promoted players by the Korea Baduk Association (12 individuals)]

9 dan: Park Jong-hoon

6 dan: Kim Beom-seo, Lee Hyun-jun, Heo Jin

5 dan: Kim Kyung-eun, Choi Min-seo

4 dan: Kim Joo-ah

3 dan: Ko Mi-so, Kim Ki-eon

2 dan: Yun Da-woo, Ina-hyeon, Han Joo-young

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