POSTED: September 8th 2011

NewsUpdate

North Korea hopes 2018 Games will improve relations on the peninsula

Sports Features Communications

TAMPA: In an article published in the Korea Times, North Korean IOC member Ung Chang has made it clear that he does not want to co-host PyeongChang 2018 with South Korea.

However, that doesn't mean he doesn't want cooperation in other areas. He doesn't believe a divided peninsula is good for anyone.

Chang has maintained that for the PyeongChang 2018 Games to be a success there needs to be an easing of cross-border relationships long before the event begins.

Speaking up in Pyongyang at the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) championships, he noted that until that happens a sports exchange between the two nations would be “unfavorable".

The ITF is a separate organization than the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and is headquartered in North Korea.

While he was once hoping North Korea could co-host the games with South Korea, he has since reversed his stance saying that the IOC has strict rules that the Games are awarded to "one city, one country."

Chang, through the International Taekwondo Federation, has mentioned that sports exchanges between the North and the United States have made progress. The North Korean taekwando exhibition team was sent to America in June to perform and has helped to build bridges.

Relations between the two Koreas have been tense lately as political tensions have been growing on the peninsula. However, taekwando is a major sport in both countries and the spirit of sportsmanship will need to overcome politics for a successful winter Games in PyeongChang.

On the bright side, Chang does anticipate that PyeongChang 2018 could help the two Koreas ease relations through the use of sports.

Keywords · PyeongChang 2018 · Ung Chang · Olympics · Taekwondo · International Taekwondo Federation

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