South and North Korea make proposal for unified ice hockey team

Posted on : 2018-01-13 15:03 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
The issue will be discussed when Korean representatives meet with the IOC next week
The South Korean women’s ice hockey team will compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics next month.
The South Korean women’s ice hockey team will compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics next month.

South and North Korea made a proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to field a unified women’s ice hockey team at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, it was recently confirmed. The team now appears likely to be a key topic at a four-party meeting of South and North Korean Olympic Committee members and officials from the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee that will be held by IOC President Thomas Bach on Jan. 20.

A senior official with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) said on Jan. 12 that the two sides had “submitted a joint proposal to the IOC to form a unified women’s ice hockey team.” In a Jan. 10 message on its website, the IOC said South and North Korea’s joint proposals would be discussed on Jan. 20.

If a unified women’s hockey team is formed, it will be the first unified Korean team in the 27 years since the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships and FIFA World Youth Championship, and the first ever in Olympic history.

“Around six to eight North Korean players appear set to join,” said KSOC president Lee Kee-heung. “We’ve requested that the IOC and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) allow the unified team’s entry list to be increased to 35.”

Coached by Sarah Murray, the South Korean women’s ice hockey team is participating in the Pyeongchang Games through host country eligibility. A total of 23 athletes are participating. Adding up to eight players from North Korea would bring the team entry list up to 31. In an interview the local press the same day at the athlete’s village in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, second vice culture minister Roh Tae-kang said steps would be taken to “ensure that our athletes do not suffer if a unified ice hockey team is formed.” The IOC and IIHF are reportedly working to explain the situation to member countries and ask for their understanding.

Lee also said that Murray, the current coach for the South Korean team, would remain the head coach for a unified team.

“We would have two to three North Korean players substituting during matches,” he said.

One of eight countries participating the Pyeongchang women’s ice hockey event, South Korea is part of Group B with Japan, Switzerland, and Sweden. While little time remains for joint training, a unified team is likely to be a major topic of interest during the Games.

“Cameras from all over the world will be capturing images of the players on the unified South and North Korean team,” an athletic world source said.

“Presenting an image of genuine harmony depend on sincere efforts from all of us.”

By Kim Chang-keum and Seon Dam-eun, staff reporters

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

button that move to original korean article (클릭시 원문으로 이동하는 버튼)

Related stories

Most viewed articles