Sports
17:57, 16-Aug-2018
Unified Korean basketball team crushes Indonesia at Asian Games
Updated
17:16, 19-Aug-2018
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One of the early highlights of the Asian Games was the first outing of the Unified Korea team.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have formed unified teams for basketball, dragon boat racing and rowing but the first appearance was in women's basketball.
The Koreans faced hosts Indonesia in Group A at the GBK basket hall and went on to a dominant 108-37 win with Ro Suk Yong from the DPRK scoring a game-high 22 points.
Athletes from the DPRK and ROK have competed together on other occasions, including in women's ice hockey at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Song Kwang-jong, the president of the National Unification Advisory Council, said, “PyeongChang is the first time we unified and the Asian Games is the second time. We will try our best to show the spirit of Koreans.”
Kim Hye Yon (C) of Unified Korea scores in their women's basketball preliminary game against Indonesia at the Asian Games in Jakarta. /VCG Photo
Kim Hye Yon (C) of Unified Korea scores in their women's basketball preliminary game against Indonesia at the Asian Games in Jakarta. /VCG Photo
It is the first time that the DPRK and ROK have competed together at the Asian Games. Both nations will march together under a unified flag during the opening and closing ceremonies.
Lee Moon-kyu, head coach of the Unified Korea basketball team, said they had to overcome some teething problems.
“Actually we have some problems in communication although we all speak Korean, especially on professional basketball words," the coach said.
“We didn't have enough time training together, but we have conquered all the difficulties.”