18.01.08 News Zero Ichimen - Will North Korea participate in PyeongChang Olympic Games?

[arashitranslation]

Will North Korea participate in PyeongChang Olympic Games?

There is an increased possibility for North Korea to participate in the PyeongChang Olympic Games which will open in one month.

This is the photo of people who sent flowers for celebration in front of the Embassy of North Korea in China.
In fact 8th January 2018 is the 35th birthday of Chairman Kim Jong-un of North Korea.

Chairman Kim showed a positive attitude towards participating in the PyeongChang Olympic Games held in South Korea during his New Year speech on 1st January.

While South Korea and North Korea plan to conduct the conference at cabinet level and discuss the issue of participation at Panmunjom at the Military Demarcation Line between the two countries, a member of IOC of North Korea said that “we probably shall participate” in the Olympics during an interview.

In particular, the pair of figure skating is more promising to participate in the game.
Last year, they obtained a good result in the world championship, and qualified for the Olympics, but North Korea did not register the pair spot at the Olympics by the deadline.
But at this time, the possibility of participation is instantly increased.

What is Olympic Games to North Korea?

30 years before now.
North Korea did not participate in the Seoul Olympic Games held in South Korea, and conducted the bombing of Korean Airlines Flight 858 in order to obstruct the Games.

On the other hand, during the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games,
there was also such historic scene.

■ Live broadcast
“So, and then during the Parade of Nations this time
what are drawing the most attention, Korea.
South Korea and North Korea marched together”

Holding the Unification Flag with the Korean peninsula,
South Korea and North Korea marched together.
They appealed a mood of reconciliation toward the world.

During the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, the player who defeated Judo Player Tamura Ryoko and obtained the gold medal jumped to be the hero of the nation.

As for North Korea, Olympic Games is “a place to enhance the glory of the nation”, it is said that the medalist was awarded home and car.

Looking at the number of medals North Korea earned during the Olympic Games thus far,
in summer Olympics it earned 54 medals including 16 gold medals,
in winter Olympics it got no gold medal, one silver medal and one bronze medal.

In case North Korea is to participate in the PyeongChang Olympic Games, there is “one concern” over the cost of participation.

If North Korea is to participate in the PyeongChang Olympic Games, it is said that South Korea and IOC, International Olympic Committee, are to bear the cost of participation such as the expenditure during the stay.

In fact, during the match held in Japan last year which decided the East Asia No.1 in soccer, North Korea men’s national team got the fourth rank and the women’s national team got the top.

However the organiser, in consideration of economic sanctions imposed by the international community, did not pay the prize money to North Korea.

This time, it is pointed out that if South Korea is to bear the expenditure of North Korea such as the expenditure during their stay, this may be a violation to the United Nations Security Council Resolution which decided the economic sanction, while the Ministry of Unification of South Korea said “it is necessary to examine the related provisions” and avoided commenting on this issue at the moment.

The conference which gains our attention will be held from 10:00 on 9th January.

Source: News Zeroイチメン (http://www.ntv.co.jp/zero/ichimen/2018/01/post-354.html)

Comments

[roo_kie]

Thank you so much for translating this.
As I really interested in this, So I glad to know the north and south Korean will be marching together.
I hope it really good will to end the attempt of war.