NationStates Jolt Archive

North Korea and South Korea have announced they're going to submit a joint bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

As you probably know, there are already talks of there being a unified Korean delegation for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

For anyone following the situation in Korea, this isn't really surprising - although of course it comes as good news. Both countries have long been saying that they are one nation, and from what I know many Koreans tend to see themselves as Korean first, and North or South Korean second.

Anyway... Your thoughts?

The BBC has a very brief article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/6161449.stm).

You would think Kim would unified with South Korea. I mean he does want to be an economical powerful nation with a strong military, well that's South Korea!

You would think Kim would unified with South Korea. I mean he does want to be an economical powerful nation with a strong military, well that's South Korea!

They've already done a combined team, haven't they? Maybe in Atlanta? I'm sure they have.

North Korea and South Korea have announced they're going to submit a joint bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

As you probably know, there are already talks of there being a unified Korean delegation for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

For anyone following the situation in Korea, this isn't really surprising - although of course it comes as good news. Both countries have long been saying that they are one nation, and from what I know many Koreans tend to see themselves as Korean first, and North or South Korean second.

Anyway... Your thoughts?

The BBC has a very brief article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/6161449.stm).
To be honest, for anyone following the situation in Korea, this comes as a major suprise, considering the backlash from the alleged nuke tests.

They've already done a combined team, haven't they? Maybe in Atlanta? I'm sure they have.

I'm fairly sure all they've done so far is appear together during the opening ceremony. A joint delegation will be something new.


To be honest, for anyone following the situation in Korea, this comes as a major suprise, considering the backlash from the alleged nuke tests.

Depends how you've been following it. Sport encounters have remained fairly common, both sides have encouraged each other's sports teams, and both countries have continued to talk about being "one nation". Yes, obviously, there have been tensions. But no, a joint hosting bid is not in the least surprising.

I'm fairly sure all they've done so far is appear together during the opening ceremony. A joint delegation will be something new.



Depends how you've been following it. Sport encounters have remained fairly common, both sides have encouraged each other's sports teams, and both countries have continued to talk about being "one nation". Yes, obviously, there have been tensions. But no, a joint hosting bid is not in the least surprising.

Yep, you're right, they only marched together but competed separately (though there's talk of a unified team in 08 at Beijing). Seems the North was annoyed in 1988 when they weren't made co-hosts with the South for the Seoul Games.

Depends how you've been following it. Sport encounters have remained fairly common, both sides have encouraged each other's sports teams, and both countries have continued to talk about being "one nation". Yes, obviously, there have been tensions. But no, a joint hosting bid is not in the least surprising.After how the South Korean government reacted to the North Korean nuke test, I would have expected a more chilled atmosphere with certain things off the table.

After how the South Korean government reacted to the North Korean nuke test, I would have expected a more chilled atmosphere with certain things off the table.

Well, I expect they thought it would do more good than harm. Upholding the "one Korea" idea can never be a bad thing, especially if it enables both countries to appear united on the international stage.

Based on that short article, it doesn't seem North Korea will actually be hosting any events, so in effect it's more a case of the North supporting the South's bid than a case of a "joint bid". It's all in the symbolism of "Korea" (not just the ROK) hosting the Olympic Games.

I can see that. "Vote for Korea! The South, economically and socially on the grow! The North, the world's asshole!"

http://www.tomgpalmer.com/images/Kim%20Jong%20Il%20Team%20America%20publicity%20shot.jpg

Thats because " I'm so ronery"

Kim Jong Il only wants a friend

if the koreas are unified, it had better be by the fall of the DPR.

I can see that. "Vote for Korea! The South, economically and socially on the grow! The North, the world's asshole!"

Must you really make yourself look foolish if you know nothing about inter-Korean relations?

if the koreas are unified, it had better be by the fall of the DPR.

Well it sure as hell isn't going to be by the North annexing the South.

I don't believe full reunification is possible within the foreseable future. Nor does the ROK government want the DPRK to collapse. The ROK would find itself having to accomodate tens of thousands of refugees (at least), then would have to somehow integrate the collapsed North, which would be a huge drain on its economy.

Not to mention that the sudden collapse of the DPRK government would be traumatic for the overwhelming majority of North Koreans. A sudden change would be disastrous. Ideally, a gradual evolution would be needed. People in the West often don't seem to realise how effective North Korean propaganda has been in making North Korean people idolise, and depend on, their leaders.