Cheong Wa Dae expressed its gratitude for Pope Francis on Feb. 8, who praised North Korean athletes’ participation in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The photo shows the pope during his visit to Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul in August 2014. (Korea.net DB)
By Hur SomEe and Yoon Sojung
Cheong Wa Dae thanked Pope Francis on Feb. 8 who said that North Korean athletes’ participation in the Winter Olympics “allows for hope for a world where conflict can be resolved peacefully.”
Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said, “The remarks from the pope, who greatly valued the united Korean team as a hope for peace, will bring great joy to the team as it makes them become female warriors of peace.”
Kim said, “The pope’s words remind us of his visit to Korea in August 2014 when he prayed for unity and reconciliation with the message, ‘Arise and Shine.’”
The presidential spokesperson also said that Korea, one of the few remaining divided countries in the world, will cultivate peace in Pyeongchang, an area close to the truce line with North Korea.
Earlier, during a meeting with pilgrims in Vatican City on Feb. 7, the pope said that, “The traditional Olympic truce takes on particular significance since delegations from both North and South Korea will be marching together in the Opening Ceremony and competing together on the same team.”
He also said, “This fact offers hope for a world in which conflict can be peacefully resolved through dialogue and mutual respect, reflecting the values that sport embodies.”
sehp91@korea.kr
