The two Koreas are pushing to form joint teams for the 2018 Asian Games.
One of the sports most likely to see a unified squad is canoeing.
Park Hee Jun reports.
The Korean Canoe Federation is pushing to form a unified canoeing team with North Korea for the upcoming 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
During a press conference on Tuesday, the federation revealed that the joint team was finalized through a series of inter-Korean discussions,... and that the South has completed its selection of coaches and athletes for the games, scheduled to take place from August 25th to 27th in Palembang, Indonesia.
Although the joint statement from the inter-Korean sports talks did not specify what games the two Koreas will compete together in,... South Korea's canoeing federation says canoeing is very likely to be included.
"About the statement yesterday, from the meetings between both Korean federations... One of the first sports mentioned as a sport which is really appropriate for joint teams was canoeing."
"If the two Koreas do form joint teams for the upcoming 2018 Asian Games,... it will be a significant step in strengthening inter-Korean ties. But it won't just stop there- the two Koreas plan on forming unified teams for other international competitions as well."
The federation is also working to create joint teams to compete in the 2018 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, which will take place in the United States this September.
It will be the first time a North Korean delegation visits the U.S.
"The Dragon Boat World Championships will begin on September 13th,... just a couple of days before the General Assembly meeting in New York. While discussions related to peace talks on the Korean Peninsula take place at the United Nations, we will be competing in the games with official visas. That will definitely be something unprecedented."
The Korean Canoe Federation will work closely with other international organizations,... mainly the International Olympic Committee, which plans on sending a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump for the issuing of the North Koreans' visas.
If this goes ahead, it will not only be a stepping stone for inter-Korean relations,... but a significant symbol of peace for the entire international community.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.
