Basketball diplomacy: ROK teams arrive in Pyongyang

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00:56

‍A high-level delegation from the Republic of Korea (ROK) arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday with dozens of basketball players as Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un's favorite sport becomes the latest effort in athletic diplomacy between the two Koreas.

Led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, the ROK delegation boarded two military transport planes to Pyongyang in the first for ROK officials since Kim and US President Donald Trump's landmark summit in Singapore last month.

ROK Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon (R) talks with the DPRK Vice Sports Minister Won Kil U during their meeting at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on July 3, 2018 in Pyongyang. /VCG Photo

The delegation consists of 50 male and female basketball players, five government delegates, 15 supporting government staffs, 10 reporters, 20 camera journalists and one sportscaster.

"We are proud that sports are taking the initiative in opening the road for... peace", the DPRK Vice Sports Minister Won Kil U said as he greeted the delegation at Pyongyang's Sunan airport.

Cho said he was "overcome with emotions", adding he conveyed warm greetings from the ROK people and their hope for reconciliation and cooperation, according to a media pool report.

Cho told reporters the matches will be held as part of efforts to implement the Panmunjom Declaration, which was signed after the first summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim before heading to Pyongyang.

Players from the ROK national basketball team arrive at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on July 3, 2018 in Pyongyang, DPRK. /VCG Photo

Four friendly basketball matches, the first in 15 years between the two sides, will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. The delegation is scheduled to return to Seoul on Friday.

Sports diplomacy

Sporting cooperation helped spark the current diplomatic thaw between the two Koreas after the DPRK sent a high-level delegation and athletes to the Winter Olympics in the ROK last February.

Recently the two Koreas announced they would field joint teams in three sports – canoeing, rowing and women's basketball – at the upcoming Asian Games.

Basketball fan Kim – who has met former Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman several times in Pyongyang – reportedly expressed his enthusiasm for basketball exchanges at a landmark summit with Moon in April.

The last basketball friendly took place in 2003 in Pyongyang when a gym bankrolled by the ROK's Hyundai business group opened in the DPRK's capital.

Players from the ROK national basketball team arrive at Koryo Hotel on July 3, 2018 in Pyongyang, DPRK. /VCG Photo

In that match, the DPRK, led by Ri Myong Hun – who, at 235 centimeters (7 feet 8.5 inches) was described as the world's tallest player – routed the ROK 86-57.

The ROK's Hur Jae, who captained his side during the defeat, is now returning to Pyongyang as a coach.

"I hope to see Ri and share soju (Korean traditional liquor) with him", he told journalists.

Cho earlier declined to provide details of his itinerary, including whether he plans to meet Kim during his stay in the DPRK.

It is also unclear whether Cho will meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who will leave for Pyongyang Thursday to flesh out a bare bones nuclear agreement between Trump and Kim.‍

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency