South Korea President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a joint summit this week.GETTY IMAGES
South Korea and North Korea on Wednesday "agreed to work together for another potentially historic project" -- co-hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics, according to YONHAP. Following their summit talks in Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced in their joint accord that the two sides "will cooperate with one another to bring the 35th Summer Games to the Korean Peninsula." IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the announcement and said that the IOC will "continue to support the Koreas' rapprochement through sports." Bach said, "We sincerely wish that these political talks produce the necessary progress for a successful candidature. Sport could once more make a contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula and the world." South Korea Sports Minister Do Jong-whan first broached the idea last week with South Korean correspondents in Tokyo, "on the sidelines of talks with his counterparts from Japan and China." Also in their joint declaration, Moon and Kim said that the two Koreas' will "work on forming more unified teams" at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and other int'l competitions. Also aiding the Koreas‘ chances of co-hosting the Olympics -- "if they stay on a cooperative path over the next several years" -- is the current int'l sporting climate. Countries have become "increasingly reluctant to host the Olympics." Because of "rising costs and lack of domestic support, candidates have pulled out of recent races" (YONAHP, 9/19).
JOINT TEAMS: YONHAP reported Korea Paralympic Committee President Lee Myung-ho said that North and South Korea are "looking to form joint teams in table tennis and swimming at the Asian Para Games next month." Lee: "We're planning to have joint Korean teams in table tennis and swimming. We've discussed this issue with North Korea. It will be finalized once the Asian Paralympic Committee decides on entries." Lee added that the Koreas also agreed to have a joint parade at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Asian Para Games in Jakarta, which will be held from Oct. 8-16 (YONHAP, 9/19).
