The diplomatic relationship between South
and North Korea continues to worsen, but on
Thursday night, those differences were put
to the side for an ice hockey match between
the two in the South's Gangwon-do province.
Kwon Jang-ho was there for the historic match
and filed this report.
Two Koreas, one rink.
In a rare sporting contest between two sides
technically still at war with each other,
the South and North Korean women's ice hockey
teams faced-off at the Gangneung Hockey Center
on Thursday.
It's the first time in three years that any
athlete from the North has stepped foot on
this side of the inter-Korean border, and
the contest has been hotly anticipated.
Another ballistic missile test carried out
by Pyongyang earlier this week once again
brought a dark cloud over the relationship,
but that tension couldn't be found here.
"Several thousand spectators have come to
watch this rare inter-Korean clash.
Of course there are no supporters who have
come from North Korea, but what's noticeable
is that the crowds are not only cheering for
the home team."
Many in the audience waved symbolic flags
of a unified Korea -- as North Korean flags
are banned in the South -- while singing and
chanting songs of unification.
There are many of our supporters, so it felt
right to support North Korea.
By cheering them on, it will hopefully give
them strength.
We are the same people so we should support
both sides.
We are one nation divided and I wanted my
children to understand and experience that
first hand.
It was a physical and nervy game, but South
Korea came out comfortable three-nothing winners.
Although the disappointment was evident on
the faces of the North Korean players, they
were gracious in defeat, leaving a memorable
impression on the audience and the South Korean
players.
"We are the same people, so to have had this
duel here in Korea like this, makes me feel
proud and good."
"I was definitely a little more nervous for
this game.
I mean like you said, it is North Korea, so
it's kind of more of a rivalry, so to say.
So yea it definitely did feel...prepared a
little different for this game but also trying
to treat it like any other."
A coincidence in international sporting schedules
means another North-South clash is set to
take place.
The South Korean women's football team is
currently in Pyongyang playing in the Asian
Cup qualifiers, and will face the North Korean
team on Friday.
It'll be the first inter-Korean football match
in North Korea for 27 years.
Despite the ongoing geopolitical conflict
between the two countries, sport continues
to act as a meeting ground where the people
from the two sides can connect.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News, Gangneung.
