The Influence of Sport on the Potential Reunification of North and South Korea

Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture investigates the influence of sport on the potential reunification of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).

Sport is a remarkable asset in our lives, creating countless opportunities for individuals, communities, and nations. Beyond just a physical activity, sport has the power to drive change and progress in areas previously thought impossible. On the Korean peninsula, sport holds significant meaning as it fosters connections and aids the peace process. But why is sport essential for harmony in the first place?

The ongoing conflict between North and South Korea is notable for its complexity. Since the end of World War II in 1945 and the dismantlement of the Japanese empire, Korea fell victim to Cold War geopolitics. The peninsula was divided into two zones: the US-controlled South Korea and the Soviet-controlled North Korea, leading to the establishment of separate governments. North Korea’s leader, Kim Il-Sung, and his communist regime invaded the South, sparking the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The war resulted in approximately 2.5 million deaths before an armistice was signed, but a formal peace treaty was never concluded, leaving the two nations technically still at war (Marshall, 2013) (Lee, 2017).

Despite ongoing tensions, many individuals continue to dream of Korean reunification. Sport offers a unique platform for overcoming conflict and fostering unity. This dream of a unified Korea became a reality in 1991 at the World Table Tennis Championships in Chiba, Japan. For the first time since the split, North and South Korea entered a single sports team. Although Sweden won gold overall, the unified Korean team achieved something far more significant than a trophy. This moment demonstrated how conflicts could be set aside for the sake of peace and unity. The emotional victory of the women’s team highlighted the possibility of integration and success together (Lee, 2017).

Prior to the 1990 Asian Games, representatives from both Korean delegations collaborated to design a unification flag, which featured the entire peninsula in blue on a white background. Although joint team plans for the Asian Games fell through, the flag made its debut at the Table Tennis Championships, marking a historic moment cherished by the Korean population and witnessed by the global audience.

Sport’s political influence is evident beyond this example. In April 1971, table tennis played a role in thawing the Cold War. Known as "ping-pong diplomacy," teams from around the world traveled to Japan for the World Table Tennis Championships, including fifteen Americans visiting China for the first time in 22 years. This gesture led to an all-expenses-paid visit around China and was described by President Nixon as an unexpected breakthrough (Griffin, 2014) (Nixon, 2013).

Back in Korea, expectations for unified sports teams were high following the 1991 Table Tennis Championships. However, this did not immediately lead to a wave of joint Korean teams. Over the past two decades, sport has continued to illuminate possibilities for reunification, with the Olympics playing a major role. At the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, 180 North and South Korean athletes participated in the opening ceremony as a unified delegation, proudly displaying the unification flag (Cha, 2009). Despite competing under separate teams, the symbolism of this act touched hearts across the peninsula and the world.

The progress continued with significant moments at the 2002 Asian Games, where North and South Korea marched together under the same flag for the first time in a South Korean-hosted event. The following year, at the Asian Winter Games in Japan, the two Korean teams not only marched together but also shared meals and sat side by side in the bleachers, demonstrating sport's potential to transcend political barriers (Cha, 2009).

Despite these advancements, political obstacles have occasionally hindered progress. The conservative administration of South Korea's Lee Myung-bak put a hold on dreams of a joint sports team. However, recent developments have been promising. In 2018, North and South Korea formed a joint women’s ice hockey team for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, marking the first unified Korean team in Olympic history. Although the team did not win a match, the reappearance of the unification flag was a symbolic triumph (Nestler, 2019). This historic team exemplifies Olympic values and reaffirms the role of sport in supporting the Korean peace process.

Following the PyeongChang Games, Korean leaders Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in held inter-Korean talks, with Kim crossing into the South for the first time since the Korean War (CNN Writers, 2019). The two Koreas have since entered unified teams in events such as the World Judo Championship and the World Men’s Handball Championships in 2019, building optimism for further progress ahead of the 2020 Olympics.

Although the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, North and South Korea had planned to march together and field unified teams in four sports. The IOC President, Thomas Bach, emphasized that sport would continue to build bridges and demonstrate its unifying power (Kyodo Writers, 2019). 

The postponement of the Olympics presents both challenges and opportunities. As North and South Korea work on a joint bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games, there is a strong belief that sport can ignite peace. South Korea’s Minister of Sport, Do Jong-hwan, expressed the commitment to work closely with North Korea for a successful bid, reflecting the ongoing desire for unity (Olympic News IOC Press Release, 2019).

While the political challenges of reunification remain significant, sport continues to offer a beacon of hope. The possibility of a unified Korea, facilitated by the power of sport, remains within reach. The role of sport in fostering political and social harmony should not be underestimated. As the world looks toward future Olympic Games and continued inter-Korean cooperation, the potential for sport to bridge divides and promote unity remains a compelling and hopeful prospect (Campbell, 2019) (White & Lewis, 2019).