SPORT is often described as a trivial, largely inconsequential pastime, but could it play an important role in easing friction between North and South Korea?
SPORT is often described as a trivial, largely inconsequential pastime – but could it play an important role in easing friction between North and South Korea?
This week’s apparent thawing of tensions between the feuding nations occurred not because of a political or economic spur but because of sport.
South Korea will host the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang next month – and it is under that banner the two countries met to discuss ways in which they can work together.
They will compete in the women’s ice hockey competition as a united Korea, while athletes from both countries will walk under one flag at the opening ceremony, as they last did at the 2007 Asian Winter Games in Changchun, China.
SEE ALSO: Could North and South Korea finally join forces – on the ice hockey rink?
Last week, the countries sat down for the first time in two years, when officials met in the ‘truce’ village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea.
High on their agenda was putting on a united front at the Winter Olympics – and talks progressed quickly.
While some have commended the dialogue between the countries, the breakthrough has not gone done well with everyone in South Korea.
