남북한 화해와 협력의 초석을 다진 평창올림픽,.. 2032 공동개최를 위한 앞으로의 과제는?
Before the 2018 Winter Olympics tensions between two Koreas continued to escalate.
Even a military confrontation seemed likely.
Looking back at the PyeongChang Games some eight months later, experts say the event helped create new possibilities on the Peninsula... and got the two sides on the road to peace like never before.
Won Jung-hwan explains further.
Despite concerns about whether South Korea could successfully host the biggest Winter Olympics in history,… the overall verdict was "job well done."
As the anniversary approaches,… key stakeholders in the event met in Seoul on Wednesday to recognize the people who made it possible and to highlight again the Games' many successes.
Those at the meeting agreed that PyeongChang 2018, and North Korea's participation, led to outcomes that were more than merely symbolic.
"We cannot talk about peace on the Korean Peninsula without the PyeongChang Olympics. Because the Olympics symbolize peace, the Games played a significant role in laying the foundation for peace between the Koreas. They even resulted in South Korea and the U.S. postponing their joint military drills."
People around the world have seen the images of reconciliation -- of the two Koreas marching as one in the opening ceremony; of a unified women's hockey team bawling its eyes out after its last game and saluting fans with the singular chant -- Korea. PyeongChang 2018 truly opened new horizons.
And according to the chair of the Games' coordinating committee,… now is the time to keep fostering that peaceful momentum in sports... with Pyeongyang now involved in the international arena like never before.
"Actually, next week we have general assembly for all the 206 Olympic committees in the world in Tokyo and we have a big delegation coming from North Korea,... being part of the preparation for the Games. I hope a lot of things to happen between now and 2032"
The two Koreas are also set to pursue a joint bid to host the Olympic Games in 2032, in anticipation of long-term peaceful cooperation.
Experts say that at until then, and beyond, PyeongChang 2018 should serve as a testament to the Olympic spirit of peace.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.
