Members of the North Korean marching band and cheering squad put on a special show for residents of Inje County, at the Inje Multipurpose Stadium on Feb. 23. The North Koreans were based in Inje during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games.
By Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team
Photos = Jeon Han
Inje | Feb. 23, 2018
The North Korean marching band and cheering squad, whose members have been staying in Inje County, Gangwon-do Province, during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics, put on a special performance for Inje residents on Feb. 23.
The performance was staged at the Inje Multipurpose Stadium. Though news of the show was announced just one day before, almost all of the 1,000 seats were filled to capacity an hour before the show.
Director Oh Yong Chul of the North Korean cheering squad expresses his gratitude to the residents of Inje County, at a special show put on by the North Korean marching band and cheering squad at the Inje Multipurpose Stadium on Feb. 23.
Director Oh Yong Chul of the North Korean cheering squad expressed his gratitude for the support shown by the local Inje residents.
“This was my first time in Inje, but the town felt familiar and the residents here felt like old neighbors. I want to thank the residents of Inje for giving such a warm welcome for our cheering squad. I hope that our little show will start a nationwide movement for reunification,” he said.
In response, Inje Governor Lee Soonseon said, “The North Korean cheering squad’s visit to Inje was an unexpected but meaningful experience. We made our best efforts to make the North Koreans feel at home. Thank you for preparing this show tonight, as a way of showing us your appreciation.”
A North Korean cheerleader shows her moves during a special show for Inje County residents, at the Inje Multipurpose Stadium on Feb. 23.
The show included a performance by the marching band as well as fan dancing and a medley of songs. When the singers sang familiar numbers, like “Nice to Meet You” and “Arirang,” audience members sang along in unison.
When the cheering squad sang “Let’s Meet Again” with a look of sadness, all the Inje residents shouted, “We are One! Inje is One!” with the hope of seeing their Northern neighbors once again.
“It was a unique experience, having the North Korean cheering squad come and stay with us in Inje,” said Kim Min Hee, a local resident. “Coming to see them perform with my daughter has made me quite emotional. I hope the North Koreans have a safe trip, and leave Inje with only good memories,” said Kim.
Park Ji Seon, a Hongcheon resident who drove one hour to Inje to see the performance, said, “When I saw the North Korean performers on TV, they felt rather distant, but meeting them in person, I felt a sense of familiarity. I hope to see that day when South and North Koreans can freely meet each other very soon.”
twkim0717@korea.kr
