[Editorial] Pyeongchang Olympics provides stepping stone for US-NK dialogue

President Moon Jae-in discusses the Pyeongchang Olympics in a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Feb. 2.

The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is almost upon us, just four days away. Groups of athletes from various countries have begun to arrive at the Olympic village, and the Samjiyon Band, a North Korean musical performance group, will be arriving on Feb. 6. Starting with the opening ceremony on Feb. 9, the eyes of the world will be on Pyeongchang for 17 days. This interest has been boosted by the joint participation of South and North Korea, turning this into the Peace Olympics. It’s remarkable to think that, a short while ago, even the US was hesitant to participate in the games as the shadow of war loomed over the Korean Peninsula.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is far too grave to treat the Pyeongchang Olympics as a mere sports event. We must emphasize the games’ diplomatic significance as the first opportunity for multilateral summit diplomacy in South Korea since Moon Jae-in became president. Moon will be meeting with 13 of the 26 state leaders and dignitaries from 21 countries who will be visiting South Korea. A delegation from North Korea will also be rubbing shoulders with state leaders from major powers around the Korean Peninsula, namely the US, China and Japan. We must not squander such an excellent opportunity to seek a diplomatic solution to peninsular issues.

It’s important to proactively regard the Pyeongchang Olympics as a stepping stone toward dialogue between North Korea and the US. While the very fact that some of the highest officials from the two sides will be face to face is of great symbolic significance, instead of stopping here, we must mobilize our diplomatic resources to take the first step toward US-North Korea dialogue. Moon’s statement that “Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to South Korea needs to be a major turning point for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula” during a telephone call with US President Donald Trump on the evening of Feb. 2 appears to have been part of such efforts. While the US continues to emphasize sanctions and pressure, it has not completely written off the possibility of dialogue with the North. Since there is no telling when the momentum for such dialogue will be restored, the South Korean government must take steps to get the ball rolling.

What is unfortunate is the attitude of the conservatives who are still harping on the “Pyongyang Olympics” and busily disparaging the Pyeongchang Olympics. It’s deplorable that the Liberty Korea Party is still going on about the “Pyongyang Olympics” when the Pyeongchang Olympics are right around the corner.

“When the ‘Pyongyang Olympics’ are over, the only things the Moon administration will spare are the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, left-wing activist groups, Moon’s fanatic supporters, pro-government broadcasters and left-wing newspapers,” LKP leader Hong Joon-pyo railed in what sounded like a curse. Such behavior betrays a lack of respect for the people of Pyeongchang and Gangwon Province, who are racing to pull off the Olympics without a hitch despite the cold weather. When guests have been brought to a feast, surely the hosts ought to refrain from petty squabbling.

The Pyeongchang Olympics is a priceless opportunity to show the world what Korea is really like and to increase our national prestige. The government needs to be thorough in its last-minute inspections to ensure that the preparations have been flawless. Given concerns that a cold wave during the opening and closing ceremonies, which are being held in an open-air venue, might cause hypothermia, special precautions must be taken. The entire nation is hoping for the Pyeongchang Olympics to be a success, and it’s time for politicians to chip in as well.

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