[Editorial] Unified Korean hockey team could set the mood for reconciliation on the Peninsula

Posted on : 2018-01-15 17:00 KST Modified on : 2018-01-15 17:00 KST
Two members of the unified Korean table tennis team that won the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships in China
Two members of the unified Korean table tennis team that won the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships in China

During the high-level inter-Korean talks on Jan. 9, North and South Korea agreed to field a unified women’s hockey team at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and have now jointly submitted the proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), reports indicate. This proposal is likely to be confirmed at the talks about the Pyeongchang Olympics that the IOC will be hosting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 20.

The creation of a unified women’s hockey team could play a major role not only in making the talks a success but also in setting the mood for inter-Korean reconciliation. For South and North Korea to enter the opening and closing ceremonies together under the Unification Flag and for athletes from the two sides to play side by side in the same event will by itself greatly magnify the call for peace. The IOC has declared that it regards all cooperation between South and North Korea during the Pyeongchang Olympics as representing considerable progress for the spirit of the Olympics. We hope that both the IOC and the International Ice Hockey Federation will take proactive steps to turn the Pyeongchang Olympics into the “Peace Olympics.”

Another significant aspect of creating a unified women’s hockey team is that this would be the first time in history that a unified inter-Korean team has competed in the Olympics. South and North Korea achieved great things by setting up unified teams in the World Table Tennis Championships and FIFA World Youth Championship in 1991. We hope that the creation of a unified team at Pyeongchang will gives us a chance to see North and South Koreans rejoicing together.

There are also issues to tackle if an inter-Korean unified team is created. The first problem is that there would be little time for the athletes from the two sides to practice coordinating their tactics. To resolve this issue, the South and North Korean governments are reportedly considering the option of having the North Korean athletes visit the South early to train with the South Korean national team, and this seems like a necessary measure. If the North Korean athletes join the South Korean team, it will also be necessary to increase the official size of the team.

If six North Korean athletes end up joining the team, as South and North Korea have tentatively agreed, the team’s official size must be increased from 23 to 29 to ensure that South Korean athletes are not disadvantaged. We hope that the IOC will make a wise and bold choose to clear away these obstacles so that the Olympics can be even more significant.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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