South and North Korea have agreed to form
a joint women's ice-hockey team for the Pyeongchang
Winter Olympics.
It's the first time the two Korea's will compete
as a joint team at an Olympic event,... but
the move has sparked controversy in South
Korea for the negative impact it may have
on the South Korean athletes.
Park Soyun, reports.
The two Koreas have agreed to form a joint
women's ice hockey team and march together
under a united flag at the opening ceremony
of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Seoul's Unification Ministry said South and
North Korea reached a consensus during inter-Korea
talks held at Panmunjeom on Wednesday.
The two Koreas have marched together at previous
games, but it is the first time a joint team
has been formed at the Olympics.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said a
unified hockey team would be a "historic event"
that would move people around the world.
The President said he hopes the PyeongChang
Olympics is a great opportunity to help thaw
relations between the two Koreas.
It is speculated that a maximum of eight players
from the North will be added to the ice hockey
team, with a high possibility that two or
three North Korean players could play as substitute
players.
But the proposal has received an icy response
from around South Korea, highlighting a broader
lack of enthusiasm for the government's plans.
The coach of the women's ice hockey team Sarah
Murray told reporters that there may be "damage"
to the team chemistry with new players being
added so close to the Olympics -- the current
South Korean women's ice hockey team have
been preparing together for the last four
years.
The agreements reached by South and North
Korea require approval by the International
Olympic Committee.
Delegates from the two Koreas will meet with
IOC officials in Switzerland on Saturday to
discuss the North's participation in the games.
Park Soyun, Arirang News.
