Shropshire Star

North and South Korean leaders in show of unity at Olympics opening ceremony

The rival Koreas have struck a note of reconciliation during the Games which seemed unlikely a matter of weeks ago.

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South Korean president Moon Jae shakes hands with North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong (AP)

In an extraordinary and unexpected show of unity, North and South Korean officials have sat side by side at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, shook hands with South Korean president Moon Jae-in while they watched an elaborate show of light, sound and human performance at the Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang which aimed to tell the epic story of the whole of Korea.

US vice president Mike Pence sat a row ahead of Ms Kim and the North’s nominal head of state, Kim Yong Nam, as they watched the games begin — officials from two nations that many worry are on the brink of nuclear conflict.

Performers take a tiger by the tail during the colourful opening ceremony (AP)
Performers take a tiger by the tail during the colourful opening ceremony (AP)

Then began the Olympic tradition that takes place at every Games — the march of athletes from the world’s many nations, which took place during freezing temperatures and biting winds.

Performances displayed the sweep of Korean history and culture. Members of a delegation from North Korea, part of an extraordinary Olympics partnership between the two Korean rivals, watched from high in the stadium a performance called “The Land of Peace”, and also watched past South Korean athletes parade a large southern flag.

Fireworks burst over the Olympic Stadium (AP)
Fireworks burst over the Olympic Stadium (AP)

There was a palpable excitement in this isolated, rugged mountain town, as one of the poorest, coldest and most disgruntled parts of an otherwise prosperous South Korea kicked off two weeks of winter sports, Olympic spectacle and, perhaps, reconciliation between the North and South.

The rival Koreas, flirting with war just weeks ago, are suddenly making overtures toward the no-longer-quite-so-absurd notion of cooperation.

Members of the North Korean delegation wave flags of the combined Koreas (AP)
Members of the North Korean delegation wave flags of the combined Koreas (AP)

The North has sent nearly 500 people to the Pyeongchang Games including officials, athletes, artists and cheerleaders after the Koreas agreed to a series of conciliatory gestures to mark the event.

More than 2,900 athletes from 92 countries will compete, making it the biggest Winter Olympics to date.

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