Inter-Korean basketball friendlies held in Pyongyang for first time in 15 years
- 6 years ago
Let's start with the two Koreas courting peace in their first basketball friendly in a decade-and-a-half.
Well over ten-thousand North Koreans packed a Pyongyang gymnasium on Wednesday for two rounds of "mixed" matches for women and men.
Each team was comprised of both South and North Korean athletes.
Our Oh Jung-hee has more on the latest peace gesture between the two Koreas.
Sports diplomacy continues on the Korean Peninsula.
The South-North Unification Basketball Games kicked off in Pyongyang's Ryugyong Chung Ju-yung Gymnasium on Wednesday.
For the first time in 15 years, South and North Korean basketball players had a chance to play on the same court and as one team.
Despite a lot of speculation, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- who's known for his love of basketball -- did not attend Wednesday's games.
But, high-level officials from the two Koreas were there.
North Korea's sports minister, Kim Il-guk, expressed hope the two Koreas could do more in their sports exchanges in the future.
"The basketball games are a happy occasion for the Korean people, organized by the leaders of the two Koreas who're aiming to bring down the barrier of division and put forward reunification. Through the games, the athletes will be able to treasure the affection and trust of one people."
And South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon responded... that sports are paving the way for inter-Korean interactions.
"Through the Panmunjom Declaration, South and North Korea are moving towards a new era of peace and prosperity... and sports exchanges are on the forefront of that. The basketball games, especially, will contribute greatly to expanding sports interaction and boosting reconciliation."
Four games were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday, the teams were a mix of South and North Korean players.
And on Thursday, the two Koreas will compete against each other.
They'll be divided by color only -- one in red and the other in blue.
It's been agreed that national flags or anthems won't be used.
The games are not being televised live, but South Korea's major domestic broadcasters will show them next week.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
Well over ten-thousand North Koreans packed a Pyongyang gymnasium on Wednesday for two rounds of "mixed" matches for women and men.
Each team was comprised of both South and North Korean athletes.
Our Oh Jung-hee has more on the latest peace gesture between the two Koreas.
Sports diplomacy continues on the Korean Peninsula.
The South-North Unification Basketball Games kicked off in Pyongyang's Ryugyong Chung Ju-yung Gymnasium on Wednesday.
For the first time in 15 years, South and North Korean basketball players had a chance to play on the same court and as one team.
Despite a lot of speculation, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- who's known for his love of basketball -- did not attend Wednesday's games.
But, high-level officials from the two Koreas were there.
North Korea's sports minister, Kim Il-guk, expressed hope the two Koreas could do more in their sports exchanges in the future.
"The basketball games are a happy occasion for the Korean people, organized by the leaders of the two Koreas who're aiming to bring down the barrier of division and put forward reunification. Through the games, the athletes will be able to treasure the affection and trust of one people."
And South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon responded... that sports are paving the way for inter-Korean interactions.
"Through the Panmunjom Declaration, South and North Korea are moving towards a new era of peace and prosperity... and sports exchanges are on the forefront of that. The basketball games, especially, will contribute greatly to expanding sports interaction and boosting reconciliation."
Four games were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday, the teams were a mix of South and North Korean players.
And on Thursday, the two Koreas will compete against each other.
They'll be divided by color only -- one in red and the other in blue.
It's been agreed that national flags or anthems won't be used.
The games are not being televised live, but South Korea's major domestic broadcasters will show them next week.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.