N. Korea taekwondo team awaits approval for trip to S. Korea

By Park Sae-jin Posted : June 15, 2017, 17:44 Updated : June 15, 2017, 18:37

[Courtesy of ITF]


A North Korean taekwondo demonstration team led by International Olympic Committee member Chang Ung awaits government approval after it applied for a landmark trip to South Korea, brightening hopes for the North's participation in next year's Winter Olympics.

South Korea's government intelligence body testified in parliament that North Korea has agreed to send a taekwondo demonstration team at the invitation of the Seoul-based World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) which will host an international competition in Muju from June 24-30.

The team includes IOC member Chang Ung, the honorary president of the North Korea-led International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), 12 performers, and others, according to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The WTF is the IOC-sanctioned governing body of taekwondo while the ITF is led by North Korea.  The two bodies held a joint performance at the 2015 WTF championships in Russia under an agreement to maintain exchanges and cooperation.

South Korea suspended almost all civilian inter-Korean exchanges in January 2016. President Moo Jae-in hopes to resume cross-border exchanges, but Pyongyang has yet to respond to his peace initiative due to high tensions caused by its nuclear and missile tests.

Previously, sports games were used to promote inter-Korean reconciliation. South Korea hopes North Korea will send a delegation to next year's Winter Olympics in the eastern ski resort of Pyeongchang as it did for the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea's western port of Incheon.

In a related move on Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon pledged full support for Pyeongchang's successful hosting of the Winter Games saying North Korea's participation is "very important" to ticket sales.


Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
 
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