Gangwon governor to explore joint South-North Korean bid for 2021 Asian Winter Games

Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon shares a toast with the director of the North Korean cheerleading squad, Oh Yong-chul, at a welcome dinner at a hotel in Gangneung on Feb. 17.

The bid would utilize Pyeongchang Olympic stadiums and increase inter-Korean exchange

Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon announced that he would look into the idea of South and North Korea hosting the 2021 Asian Winter Games together at the stadiums used during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. “We are considering the idea of South and North Korea jointly hosting the Asian Winter Games as one way to increase the usage of the facilities after the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and of continuing inter-Korean harmony and exchange. We will initiate detailed preparations after the Pyeongchang Olympics,” Choi said during a press conference on Feb. 17.

Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon shares a laugh with the director of the North Korean cheerleading squad, Oh Yong-chul, and others who attended a welcome dinner at a hotel in Gangneung on Feb. 17.

Choi’s proposal appears to be inspired by the fact that the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics have primed the pump for inter-Korean exchange in the area of sports, leading to a unified Korean women’s hockey team and combined cheerleading squad. Furthermore, Gangwon Province has steadily promoted inter-Korean exchange in the sport of football through youth football teams and the Gangwon FC professional football team.

An official from Gangwon Province toasts members of the North Korean cheerleading squad during a welcome dinner at a hotel in Gangneung on Feb. 17.

The stadiums that are reportedly under consideration for use as part of this plan are the facilities for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and Masikryong Ski Resort in the North Korean city of Wonsan. During joint training by South and North Korean skiers on Jan. 31, Masikryong Ski Resort was deemed satisfactory in regard to its course length, difficulty level and snow quality. The 8th edition of the Asian Winter Games was held in Sapporo, Japan, in Feb. 2017, but the next site of the games has not been decided.

By Park Soo-hyuk, Gangwon correspondent and Hwang Keum-bi, staff reporter

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