The Wire

After years of troubled relations over nukes and human rights, sport has become a uniting factor between North and South Korea. Both countries are attempting to bridge the divide by uniting their Olympic teams for the Beijing Olympics next year. But is it a true reflection of reconciliation? Dr Andrew O’Neil, from the School of Political and International Studies at Flinders University says that uniting North and South Korea through sport is a very “romantic” way of reconciling the two countries. He says although it is a positive step the bi-lateral realtions is still permeated with tension, formal conflicts and diplomatic standoffs and says the merging of the two olympic teams will not be without problems. North Korea’s Olympic team is one quarter of the size of the wealthier South, but the Korean team will consist of equal numbers from both countries, meaning many South Korean athletes will miss out. Andrew says whilst it’s a small price to pay for reconcilliation it will be a “bitter pill to swallow” for those athletes who cannot compete.