Pyongyang gives sports diplomacy full play

The 17th Asian Games opens on Sept 19 in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, and has been aptly themed "Diversity Shines Here". Diversity will indeed shine in Incheon but it will shine for unity on the Korean Peninsula, because this is the first time the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will participate in a sports event in the ROK since the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships in Incheon and, more importantly, this is the DPRK's first presence in a major global event since its leader Kim Jong-un assumed office in 2012.

The 273-strong DPRK delegation's first goal will, of course, be to win the maximum number of medals at the 16-day event. But it will also strive to improve inter-Korean relations. Since sports is a channel through which a country can exhibit the determination of its people, Kim attaches great importance to it and has urged the DPRK to become a major sports power.

Within months of assuming office in late 2012, Kim set up a special committee to prepare for upcoming sports events such as the Asiad. He even paid several visits to the training venues and encouraged the athletes to win glory for the DPRK in Incheon.