The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has confirmed that South Korea and North Korea will mix into one team for 3 matches and 6 events in 2018. Asian Games. This decision was taken following a gathering on the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) headquarters in Senayan yesterday, June 28.
“This will be a historic record for the Asian Games and for the Asian continent, considering this is the first time that North and South Korea have united as one team in several sports competitions,” said Vinod Kumar Tiwari, director of relations with the International and National Committees Olympic OCA in an announcement.
The two Koreas, which have chosen to play under the peninsula’s unified flag, will compete in three disciplines, including women’s basketball, dragon boat and rowing.
“The two Koreas walked hand in hand before the opening ceremony, and we’re truly glad that the 2 countries can proceed their unification partnership within the spirit of unity and friendship,” Vinod said.
Despite the unification, no additional quotas might be available for athletes until the “name application” process scheduled for June 30. The meeting participants agreed that 100 competitors would come to the opening ceremony parade, making a complete of 200 athletes.
At the meeting of the 2 countries, North Korea was represented by three delegates from Pyongyang, led by North Korea’s Deputy Minister of Sports, Won Kil U, and 4 representatives from Seoul, led by Sec. Gen. Choong R. Jeon.
18 Asian Games might be held from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang.
