There′s a sport capturing the attention
of the North Korean regime... and it′s not
basketball.
It′s pro-wrestling... and an international
competition is being held this weekend in
Pyongyang.
Some observers see it as an attempt to boost
relations with the U.S. and Japan through
sports diplomacy.
Kim Hyun-bin explains.
Several athletes arrive in Pyongyang airport.
They are all pro-wrestlers here to take part
in an international wrestling competition.
There are some familiar faces such as Bobb
Sapp and Jerome Le Banner who are well known
in the wrestling world.
But all eyes are on Japanese former wrestler-turned
politician Antonio Inoki.
""I believe the this event will be successful.
I wish this competition will serve as a stepping
stone for international peace."
The head of North Korea′s International
Olympic Committee Jang Ung greeted the athletes
upon their arrival. North Korean media has
been extensively promoting the competition,
airing previews and detailed introductions.
North Korean leader Kim Jung-un is known to
take advantage of sports diplomacy to promote
his country, but some experts say this could
be a means to enhance relations with Japan.
As Inoki had a meeting with secretary of the
Central Committee of the Workers′ Party
of Korea Kang Sok-ju ….. experts believe
he might also be acting as a go-between for
the Japanese government.
The pro wrestling event comes as the two nations
look to improve bilateral ties, especially
by dealing with the issue of Japanese nationals
kidnapped by the North Korean agents in the
1970s and the 1980s.
Seoul-based Yonhap News reported, quoting
diplomatic sources in Tokyo, that the two
countries face difficulties in making progress
in their government-level talks.
Kim Hyun-bin, Arirang News.
