Korean Referee Controversy Sparks Chinese Go Champion's Stand
After a controversial referee intervention during the LG Cup final, Chinese Go player Ke Jie updated his social media profile to ‘Nine-time World Champion,’ asserting his rightful claim despite an official loss.

The recent LG Cup World Go Championship final between China’s Ke Jie and Korea’s Shin Jinseo has ignited intense debate in the Go community. The controversy erupted when Korean referees intervened during critical moments of the match, particularly during Shin’s prolonged thinking time.
Ke Jie, who was leading the best-of-three series 1-0, faced unusual circumstances in the subsequent games. The referees' timing of interventions raised serious questions about competitive fairness. In one crucial moment, while Shin Jinseo was deep in thought with dwindling time, officials interrupted the game citing a technical violation by Ke Jie - a move many observers viewed as tactically timed to benefit the Korean player.
The Chinese grandmaster’s principled stance became evident when he chose to withdraw from the competition rather than continue under what he perceived as compromised conditions. His withdrawal speech focused on the integrity of the game, emphasizing that Go should be decided on the board rather than through external interventions.
What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is Ke’s response. Instead of accepting the official result, he updated his social media profile to “Nine-time World Champion,” reflecting his conviction that he was the rightful winner. This bold move resonated with many in the Go community who saw it as a statement against what they perceived as procedural manipulation.
The technical aspects of the controversy centered around the “seal move” rule implementation. In traditional Go tournaments, specific protocols exist for handling game interruptions, but the Korean referees' interpretation and timing of enforcement departed significantly from established norms. This raised questions about competitive integrity and the potential impact of administrative decisions on pure gameplay.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about governance in international Go competitions and the need for standardized rules enforcement. Many observers have drawn parallels to historical matches where similar controversies arose, noting how such incidents can impact the sport’s development and international relations in competitive Go.
For those unfamiliar with Go’s competitive landscape, this event’s significance extends beyond a single tournament result. Ke Jie’s eight previous world championships were won through clear victory on the board, making this controversial finish particularly poignant for the Go community.
The aftermath has led to calls for reform in international Go competition management, with many advocating for more transparent and consistent rule enforcement. This episode may well mark a turning point in how major Go tournaments are conducted, particularly regarding referee intervention protocols and timing rules.