Do Jonghwan, minister of culture, sports and tourism, gives an interview to the Hong Kong-based channel Phoenix Satellite Television at the Foreign Press Center Korea in Seoul on May 14. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
By Xu Aiying and Hahm Hee-eun
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Do Jonghwan said in an interview with the Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television Holding Ltd. (Phoenix TV) on May 14 that, “The first step for peace on the Korean Peninsula has been taken by artists and athletes of the two Koreas.” He added that, “Now that the relationship between the two Koreas is starting to bond, it is expected that active exchanges in the arts and sports will continue at both the governmental and nongovernmental levels.”
Some of the accomplishments on inter-Korean exchanges were mentioned, including the musical performances at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the unified Korean team at the Liebherr 2018 World Team Table Tennis Championships.
Minister Do further said that, “The last time I visited Pyeongyang for the concert by the art troupe, I suggested a joint parade at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games, and a unified team at the 2018 ISSF World Shooting Championships that will be hosted in Changwon. North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il Guk gave a positive response.”
He especially emphasized the role of cultural exchanges for inter-Korean communications. He said, “Cultural exchanges and cooperation will not only rebuild solidarity between the two Koreas, but also establish a society that understands and respects differences, which will eventually contribute to making one true unified Korea.”
Regarding his impressions of North Korean Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un, Minister Do said, “Chairman Kim seemed to have a profound knowledge of various topics, and was quite open-minded. In particular, he seemed like a person with intricate feelings, as he showed great interest in the singers and the songs.”
xuaiy@korea.kr
