North Korean Sports Minister: 2032 Olympics is an opportunity to unite the two Koreas
(Baonghean) - North Korea's Sports Minister affirmed that the process of working together with South Korea to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics will help the two sides have the opportunity to cooperate and become closer, a pro-North Korean newspaper in Japan reported on December 2.
In an interview with Chosun Sinbo, Kim Il-guk, Chairman of the North Korean Olympic Committee, said: "There are many logistical problems that arise during the preparation for the Olympics. The process of resolving those problems is also an opportunity for North Korea and South Korea to understand each other and become more harmonious with each other."
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| North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il-guk arrives in Tokyo for the Olympic Games. Photo: Yonhap |
In the process of forming a unified team to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Mr. Kim continued to affirm: "The two Koreas will demonstrate to the world their spirit of peace and desire for unification at this Tokyo Olympics."
On November 2, the two Koreas agreed to jointly host the 2032 Summer Olympics, something that has never been done before. "Cooperation in sports is a correct decision in the current situation, when the relationship between the two countries is on the path of reconciliation and has positive changes. This has received much support from international sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," Kim Il-guk affirmed.
Mr. Kim also spoke about the results achieved by the joint North and South Korean team at the 2018 Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang. "We are proud to affirm that we can do anything if we work together and unification is no longer far away."
Kim Il-guk arrived in Tokyo last week to attend a two-day meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees, which was attended by more than 1,300 officials, including International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
