South Korea proposed that North Korea host some of the skiing events at next year’s Winter Olympics, "in a move it hopes will ease cross-border political tensions," according to Justin McCurry of the London GUARDIAN. South Korean Sports Minister Do Jong-hwan also suggested forming an "inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team to compete at the Games," which open in February in PyeongChang. Do cited North Korea’s “top-class” Masikryong ski resort as a potential venue and said that he would discuss co-hosting with Jang Woong, North Korea’s delegate to the IOC. His overture "reflects a desire" by South Korea President Moon Jae-in for "cautious engagement" with Pyongyang. North Korean involvement in the tournament would require "huge investment in infrastructure," but Moon said, "If the neighboring countries in northeast Asia, including North and South Korea, can host the World Cup together, it would help to create peace" (GUARDIAN, 6/21).
WEIGHTLIFTING: YONHAP reported South Korea will seek North Korea's participation in a continental weightlifting competition to be held this fall "south of the border." Do said that South Korea will "try to bring North Korean athletes on board for the 2017 Asian Cup and Interclub Weightlifting Championship" starting on Oct. 18 in Yanggu, east of Seoul (YONHAP, 6/21).
