On the Scene - Joint Korean Olympic Team Only A Concept

(ATR) Sport administrators from both North and South Korea warn Around the Rings talks of a unified peninsula team at the PyeongChang Olympics remain only conceptual.

South Korean President Jae In Moon planted the idea of a unified team at the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, South Korea. Moon spoke at the championship’s opening ceremony, declaring that taekwondo could lead to greater unification in the Korean Peninsula. Moon reflected on the emotions of the 2000 Olympics opening ceremony when the North and South Korean delegations marched as one.

"If the North Korean team were to participate in PyeongChang it would contribute greatly to realize the peace in the Korean Peninsula," Moon said. "I would like to feel once again the moving emotions of the 2000 Sydney Olympics when the world applauded the athletes of South and North Korea marching together in the opening ceremony."

North Korean IOC member Ung Chang told ATR that any such idea is dependent upon Olympic qualification. Chang was in Muju as part of an International Taekwondo Federation demonstration delegation. After attending the opening ceremony he and the ITF delegation are touring South Korea before returning to Muju. Upon return they will engage in dialogue with World Taekwondo leaders and IOC President Bach.

Currently North Korea may only qualify a pair of figure skaters to the PyeongChang 2018 Games. If they do not qualify, Chang said he is unsure if a North Korean delegation would travel to the Games. North Korea did attend the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea after boycotting the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Chang did say he would attend the PyeongChang Olympics regardless, given his position as an IOC member.

"I am the IOC member from DPR Korea; I have no pull, please ask the NOC of DPR Korea," Chang said to ATR. "As a member of IOC committee I cannot comment on this issue politically or practically."

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue from South Korea was initially more enthusiastic than diplomatic about President Moon’s proposal.

"Why not?" he told ATR. But Choue warnsthe realities of the situation need to be played out before any negotiations can begin.

"After [qualification] maybe we can discuss have team merging such as female ice hockey we can combined together," Choue said. "President Moon’s message at the opening ceremony was very clear and quite positive in this kind of exchange program really enhancing the tension between the North and the South; it is the first step."

Ultimately the final decision on the matter will come from the IOC. President Thomas Bach will arrive in Muju on June 28.

Bach plans to tour the Taekwondowon facility before meeting with Choue, Chang, and ITF President Yong Song Ri.

Before he leaves Korea around July 1, Bach is planning to meet the South Korean President at the Blue House in Seoul. The notion of a joint team is expected to be a major point of their talks. Elected in May, President Moon and Bach have not had a chance to meet. Moon will oversee the government's involvement in the final preparations for the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang. Moon will declare the Games open next February.

Homepage photo: Wikimedia Commons

Written by Aaron Bauer in Muju

Travel paid for by World Taekwondo

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