World
23:00, 06-Feb-2018
Exclusive interview with Hyun Jung-hwa: Reunion at the PyeongChang Olympics
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The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will march together under a unified flag and field a joint women’s hockey team at the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
It’s been almost three decades since the two Koreas had a unified team.
In 1991, the two sides created their first combined team for the World Table Tennis Championships and a youth soccer tournament. ROK's most decorated table tennis Olympian Hyun Jung-hwa was in that table tennis team.
This year, there are ROK athletes who stand opposed to the DPRK and ROK creating a combined women’s ice hockey team.
Hyun Jung-hwa, head coach of Letsrun Table Tennis Team.
Hyun Jung-hwa, head coach of Letsrun Table Tennis Team.
Having gone through this before, Hyun Jung-hwa says she understands the reservations the ROK women’s hockey team is feeling, at being forced to play with the DPRK.
Despite this, she believes they can overcome this and experience a rare opportunity that may never come their way again.
Hyun may have the opportunity to meet her former DPRK teammate Li Bun Hui at the PyeongChang Paralympics Games, where Li may be participating as a coach.
“I really want to see her,” Hyun said.
If they happen to meet, it’ll be another reunion at the PyeongChang Olympics.