Flags, formulas and frustrations: North-South Korean Olympic ‘cooperation’

Abstract

From the early 1960s onwards the two Koreas have held intermittent discussions about forming joint teams for the Olympic Games, as well as associated regional games such as the Asian Games. But the results were minimal and only in 2000–2006 did joint entry into opening ceremonies – though not joint or combined teams – occur. This troubled history is analysed through two dimensions: the technical issues under discussion, such as flags, anthems, athletic selection and training, and the dynamics of inter-Korean political competition. Through examining these elements, it is argued that political considerations on one side or the other frequently trumped sporting aspirations. Although new leaders have come to power both in North and in South Korea, the September 2014 Incheon Asian Games saw some of these issues re-played. In the light of the current state of North-South political relations, the prospects for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics are likely to be more of the same.

Keywords:

• Olympics
• Asian Games
• inter-Korean relations
• unification
• leadership

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Memoranda, both addressed to Chancellor Otto Mayer at the IOC, by Korean Olympic Committee, 11 June, and Olympic Committee of the DPRK, 13 June 1963, in Olympic Museum archives, respectively Coree: Correspondence 1947–72 and Coree de Nord: Reconnaissance 1952–1969.

2. I am indebted to Keith Howard for further elucidation on the development of this folk song.