[Editorial] Cultural and athletic exchanges could prove to be decisive turning point for inter-Korean relations

Kim Yong-nam, the president of the Presidium of the North Korean Supreme People‘s Assembly, wipes away tears as he watches a performance of the Samjiyon musical group at the National Theatre in Seoul on Feb. 11. Seated at his left are Kim Yo-jong, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and his wife Kim Jung-sook. (Blue House Photo Pool)

After completing a tour of South Korea, the North Korean Samjiyon musical performance group returned home on the Gyeongui Line overland route on Feb. 12. The group’s performance in Seoul the previous day was deeply moving. Hyon Song-wol, leader of the group, gave a rendition of “From Baekdu Mountain to Halla Mountain Is My Homeland.”

Then South Korean singer Seohyun came to the stage and sang “Our Wish is Unification” with North Korean singers, after which they embraced each other warmly. Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, was on the verge of tears throughout the performance, which he watched with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. This event shows that culture can go a long way toward melting frozen hearts.

Culture and sports can finish what politics fails to do. It goes without saying that it was the athletic event of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics that serve as the occasion for a North Korean high-ranking delegation to visit South Korea, which could prove to be a decisive turning point in inter-Korean relations. There could be no better way than cultural and athletic exchange to reunite hearts that have grown distant and to tear down the walls of division.

That is why we are encouraged by Seoul mayor Park Won-soon’s proposal to the North to restart a series of football games between Seoul and Pyongyang. During a luncheon that was hosted by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon on Feb. 12, Kim Yong-nam said it would be nice to resume the Seoul-Pyongyang football games, suggesting that Park’s proposal could become a reality. Park has also proposed allowing an athletic contingent from Pyongyang to take part in the 100th Nationwide Tournament being held in Seoul next year, and if this actually happens, it would be a big boon for inter-Korean reconciliation.

Separately from political processes such as summits, cultural and athletic exchange needs to be promoted in various areas. There is much that cultural and athletic exchange can do to foster the mood for resolving political issues. Under the previous conservative administrations, inter-Korean cultural and athletic exchange slowed and nearly stopped altogether. During that time, the gulf of division grew deeper. We must make the most of the fresh opportunity brought by the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. We hope that culture and sports will lead the way in building emotional ties between South and North Korea and in paving the way to reconciliation and cooperation.

Please direct questions or comments to [[e-mail]]