DPRK & ROK students bond through sports

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By CCTV correspondent U-Jean Jung

In a time of tension and rhetoric on the Korean Peninsula sport is proving to be a uniting force this week for students from both the DPRK and South Korea.

The two nations, part of a gathering put on by the UN in Gwangju, South Korea of students from 19 countries that are either dealing with conflict or are classified as developing. Our U-Jean Jung has the story as Seoul and Pyongyang take part for the very first time.

Can sports bring Seoul and Pyongyang closer together? The United Nations strongly believes so.

The two nations, part of a gathering put on by the UN in Gwangju, South Korea of students from 19 countries that are either dealing with conflict or are classified as developing.

The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace chose South Korea as their 7th destination to hold the Youth Leadership Program. 33 participants from 19 countries in regions of conflict and developing nations are here to build qualities needed to become leaders, using sports.

Today’s event is ping pong. The recipe for building teamwork and leadership is a ball, a racquet and an open-mind.

Four people from the DPRK were approved entry by South Korea’s Unification Ministry to take part. This is Ju Hyok’s first time to travel outside of his home country.

"There are many programs here on development and peace here, but we also do a lot for the environment and gender equality in our country too. We are going to learn a lot here and adapt it to fit our country’s needs." Ju Hyok, Korean University of Physical Education, DPRK said.

The two nations, part of a gathering put on by the UN in Gwangju, South Korea of students from 19 countries that are either dealing with conflict or are classified as developing.

And it was South Korean participant Chae Yeon Kim’s first try at meeting someone from the DPRK.

"Although we met for the first time, we have volunteer or work experience in the same field of interest. So, when we talked, we were able to bond and communicate well even if it was for the first time." Chae Yeon Kim, Soongsil University, South Korea said.

Lee recalls the DPRK willingly accepted the invitation.

"When we went to the DPRK, we learnt that the DPRK were developed in daily sports and youth sports facilities, and very interested in growing (sports) leaders. When we told them about our leadership development program they accepted without hesitation." Hyunju Lee, UNOSDP Project Officer said.

The two nations, part of a gathering put on by the UN in Gwangju, South Korea of students from 19 countries that are either dealing with conflict or are classified as developing.

Facilitator Ernesto from Right to Play says he hopes the participants will use sports as a tool to develop their communities upon their return.

"Thanks to sports, thanks to play, the moment they started playing, I saw the smile on their faces. And for me, it was again, a testament of what sports and play can do. It can really cut the divide between people of different ideology, different beliefs." Ernesto Rebustillo, RTP Training Officer said.

The Asian episode of the Youth Leadership Program will come to a close on September 3 participants will have exposure to a variety of sports from Taekwondo, boxing, football, swimming and more. And during that time, they will be be open to exchange dialogue in peaceful and natural environments.