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South and North Korean athletes make the two sides’ first joint entrance at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. (Photo Pool)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced plans to coordinate a joint inter-Korean entrance and cheering at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia this August. The announcement came during joint progress reports on the “diplomatic and security situation and improvements in inter-Korean relations” with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Unification, and Patriots and Veterans’ Affairs at the Central Government Complex in Seoul on Jan. 19, with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon in attendance.

In its report, the ministry said it planned to “pursue additional joint entrance and cheering by South and North Korea at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta/Palembang, the 2019 Summer and Winter Universiade events, and other international athletic competitions, while continuing to invite North Korean teams to domestic competitions and expanding exchange efforts for different events.” In the long term, the ministry plans to push for joint staging of the 2030 World Cup in South and North Korea, China, and Japan, it added.

“Peace” was also adopted as a theme for the Pyeongchang Olympics opening and closing ceremonies and the legacy for the Games.

“The theme of the opening ceremony on Feb. 9 is to be ‘peace that acts,’ sharing performances combining tradition with modernity and a winter-themed children’s story unique to Pyeongchang carrying a message for world peace,” the ministry explained.

The ministry added that a performance on the theme of “a new wave” would be held for the closing ceremony on Feb. 25.

“The legacy of the Pyeongchang Olympics is to be peace,” it stressed.

MCST also announced plans to boost inter-Korean exchange in other areas with North Korea’s participation in the Olympics. In the areas of culture and the arts, it plans to pursue joint cooperation for the compilation of the “Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon” (unified Korean language) dictionary, excavation of Manwoldae Palace in the North Korean city of Kaesong, and exhibition of Korean historical assets from the Joseon and Goryo Dynasties.

The ministry added that it planned to hold “proactive discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and International Sports Federation (IF)” in connection with North Korea’s participation in the Pyeongchang Olympics.

“Matters related to sanctions against North Korea will be fully discussed with the UN and international community,” it said.

By Kim Chang-keum, staff reporter

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