Pyeongchang Winter Olympics: Almost three decades since Korea had a unified team

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea will march together under a unified flag and field a joint women's hockey team at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month. One of the few athletes ever to play on a unified Korean team is South Korean table tennis legend Hyun Jung-hwa. Joseph Kim had a chance to sit down with Hyun and discuss her thoughts on the upcoming Games.

It's been almost three decades since the two Koreas had a unified team. In 1991, when the two sides created their first combined team for the World Table Tennis Championships and a youth soccer tournament. South Korea's most decorated table tennis Olympian Hyun Jung-hwa was on that table tennis team. She and her teammates pulled off an upset by winning gold in the women's team event.

HYUN JUNG-HWA, HEAD COACH LETSRUN TABLE TENNIS TEAM "[After we won] I cried a lot. I felt something, a burning sensation inside my heart. I don't really know how to explain it but it wasn't a happiness or joy you feel when you get first place. No, it wasn't that. But that burning sensation overwhelmed me and the four of us, the team [that represented Korea], we embraced one another and sobbed together."

Many lauded the team's success as "ping pong diplomacy", especially given the political climate and the DPRK and ROK still technically at war. Many said their deep-bond and victory brought a glimmer of hope to the divided Korea. But times have changed. Today, there are South Koreans who stand opposed to the DPRK and ROK creating a combined women's ice hockey team.

JOSEPH KIM YONGIN, SOUTH KOREA "While some are skeptical, sports, and these private exchanges can curb Pyongyang's nuclear and weapons' program, there are still some who believe these face-to-face interactions have the potential to bear some type of long-term impact, to remove decades of hostility that's been building up against the other, at least on a personal-level."

Among those hopeful is Hyun Jung-hwa. Having gone through this before, she says she understands the reservations the South Korean women's hockey team is feeling of 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. And with all eyes on the unified team, she suggests it'll have lasting impacts.

HYUN JUNG-HWA, HEAD COACH LETSRUN TABLE TENNIS TEAM "There's been attempts from various areas to mend severed ties but only sports has been able to continue to open the door [between the DPRK and ROK]. I believe that this is the power of sports."

Hyun may also 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."

If they happen to meet, it'll be another reunion at the Pyeongchang Olympics.