Agency :
The spectators of the 2018 Asian Games (Asiad) opening ceremony witnessed a historic moment when South Korea and North Korea marched together under the Unified Korea flag.
In his speech, Olympics Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah took a moment to applaud the Unified Korea team.
“We made history today […] because South Korea and North Korea join as one team to compete in the 2018 Asian Games,” he said at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Saturday.
Dozens of athletes from the two countries paraded in blue-and-white uniforms, representing the colors of the Unified Korea flag.
As the athletes waved to spectators in the stadium, South Korea Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and North Korea Deputy Prime Minister Ri Ryong-nam stood up together to join hands and wave at the Unified Korea contingent.
The presence of Unified Korea in the Asiad is seen as evidence of the two countries’ improved relationships in the wake of the historic meeting of South Korean and North Korean leaders in May.
The Unified Korea contingent is competing in canoe, rowing and basketball at the Asiad.
Previously, the two countries also appeared under the same flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics in February in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The spectators of the 2018 Asian Games (Asiad) opening ceremony witnessed a historic moment when South Korea and North Korea marched together under the Unified Korea flag.
In his speech, Olympics Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah took a moment to applaud the Unified Korea team.
“We made history today […] because South Korea and North Korea join as one team to compete in the 2018 Asian Games,” he said at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Saturday.
Dozens of athletes from the two countries paraded in blue-and-white uniforms, representing the colors of the Unified Korea flag.
As the athletes waved to spectators in the stadium, South Korea Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and North Korea Deputy Prime Minister Ri Ryong-nam stood up together to join hands and wave at the Unified Korea contingent.
The presence of Unified Korea in the Asiad is seen as evidence of the two countries’ improved relationships in the wake of the historic meeting of South Korean and North Korean leaders in May.
The Unified Korea contingent is competing in canoe, rowing and basketball at the Asiad.
Previously, the two countries also appeared under the same flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics in February in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
