This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42618217
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
North Korea: A sporting history of bombs and diplomacy | North Korea: A sporting history of bombs and diplomacy |
(3 days later) | |
Sport often brings a certain degree of drama - but perhaps never more so than when it comes to the two rival Koreas. | Sport often brings a certain degree of drama - but perhaps never more so than when it comes to the two rival Koreas. |
North Korea has agreed to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games - after the first high-level talks between the countries in two years. | North Korea has agreed to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games - after the first high-level talks between the countries in two years. |
But sport does not always lead to warmer ties. | But sport does not always lead to warmer ties. |
In the past, North Korea has launched deadly attacks on the South during, or in the run up to, major global sporting events being held in South Korea. | In the past, North Korea has launched deadly attacks on the South during, or in the run up to, major global sporting events being held in South Korea. |
Aircraft bombing - 1988 Summer Olympics | Aircraft bombing - 1988 Summer Olympics |
In 1987, two North Korean agents planted a bomb on Korean Airlines Flight 858 travelling from Baghdad in Iraq to Seoul, South Korea. During a stopover in Abu Dhabi, they got off. Hours later over the Andaman Sea, the bomb blew up, killing all 115 people on board. | In 1987, two North Korean agents planted a bomb on Korean Airlines Flight 858 travelling from Baghdad in Iraq to Seoul, South Korea. During a stopover in Abu Dhabi, they got off. Hours later over the Andaman Sea, the bomb blew up, killing all 115 people on board. |
At the time, South Korea was preparing to host the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul - and North Korea was determined to stop it. | At the time, South Korea was preparing to host the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul - and North Korea was determined to stop it. |
In an interview with BBC, one of the agents, Kim Hyun-hui said: "I was told by a senior officer that before the Seoul Olympics we would take down a South Korean airliner. | In an interview with BBC, one of the agents, Kim Hyun-hui said: "I was told by a senior officer that before the Seoul Olympics we would take down a South Korean airliner. |
"He said it would create chaos and confusion in South Korea. The mission would strike a severe blow for the revolution." | "He said it would create chaos and confusion in South Korea. The mission would strike a severe blow for the revolution." |
Naval battle - 2002 Fifa World Cup | Naval battle - 2002 Fifa World Cup |
The 2002 Fifa World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan was a major turning point for South Korean football. | The 2002 Fifa World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan was a major turning point for South Korean football. |
Previously, South Korea had never won a match at the World Cup. But at this tournament, they won against strong teams including Poland, the United States, Portugal, Italy and Spain - and made it to the semi-finals. | Previously, South Korea had never won a match at the World Cup. But at this tournament, they won against strong teams including Poland, the United States, Portugal, Italy and Spain - and made it to the semi-finals. |
Their sporting success, and photos of South Koreans cheering their team, dressed in red and celebrating in the streets of downtown Seoul, made headlines around the world. | Their sporting success, and photos of South Koreans cheering their team, dressed in red and celebrating in the streets of downtown Seoul, made headlines around the world. |
But during the third-place play-off match against Turkey, on 29 June, North Korea struck. | |
Pyongyang's patrol boats opened fire on a South Korean navy ship near Yeonpyeong island, after allegedly crossing the Northern Limit Line, a disputed maritime boundary in the Yellow Sea. | Pyongyang's patrol boats opened fire on a South Korean navy ship near Yeonpyeong island, after allegedly crossing the Northern Limit Line, a disputed maritime boundary in the Yellow Sea. |
Six South Koreans died and at least nine were injured in the bloody naval battle. | Six South Koreans died and at least nine were injured in the bloody naval battle. |
The UN designated the Northern Limit Line (NLL) as the maritime border between the two sides after the Korean War. | The UN designated the Northern Limit Line (NLL) as the maritime border between the two sides after the Korean War. |
But the North does not recognise the border, making waters around the line a long-time flash point. | But the North does not recognise the border, making waters around the line a long-time flash point. |
Despite the maritime clash, North Korea took part in the Asian Games in South Korea's Busan later that year. | Despite the maritime clash, North Korea took part in the Asian Games in South Korea's Busan later that year. |
It sent a 606-member delegation, including 184 athletes, 288 cheerleaders and 134 officers to the Games. | It sent a 606-member delegation, including 184 athletes, 288 cheerleaders and 134 officers to the Games. |
Family reunions and the 2014 Asian Games | Family reunions and the 2014 Asian Games |
The North agreed to family reunions for some relatives separated by the Korean War, as Seoul prepared to host the Asian Games in Incheon. | The North agreed to family reunions for some relatives separated by the Korean War, as Seoul prepared to host the Asian Games in Incheon. |
Millions of people were from loved ones by the physical division of the Korean peninsula after the war - and family reunions are one of the very few ways they can meet again. | Millions of people were from loved ones by the physical division of the Korean peninsula after the war - and family reunions are one of the very few ways they can meet again. |
The reunions are often emotional events - with relatives seeing each other for the first time in over 60 years. | The reunions are often emotional events - with relatives seeing each other for the first time in over 60 years. |
Between 2000 and 2007, the two Koreas held reunions about twice a year. | Between 2000 and 2007, the two Koreas held reunions about twice a year. |
But they only occurred twice from 2007-2013, as ties between Lee Myung-bak's conservative government in Seoul and the regime in Pyongyang soured. | But they only occurred twice from 2007-2013, as ties between Lee Myung-bak's conservative government in Seoul and the regime in Pyongyang soured. |
As a result, the February 2014 reunion - the first in more than three years - generated considerable excitement. | As a result, the February 2014 reunion - the first in more than three years - generated considerable excitement. |
But ties also became strained between the North and South. | But ties also became strained between the North and South. |
As the Asian Games neared, North Korea threatened to pull out - before eventually sending a delegation of 273 athletes and officials. | As the Asian Games neared, North Korea threatened to pull out - before eventually sending a delegation of 273 athletes and officials. |
It sent three of its most powerful military and political figures - Hwang Pyong-so, Choe Ryong-hae and Kim Yang-gon - but cancelled plans to send a cheerleading squad. | It sent three of its most powerful military and political figures - Hwang Pyong-so, Choe Ryong-hae and Kim Yang-gon - but cancelled plans to send a cheerleading squad. |
Family reunion events have not taken place since 2015. | Family reunion events have not taken place since 2015. |
The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics | The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics |
The 2018 Winter Olympics will come after a period of heightened Korea tensions. | The 2018 Winter Olympics will come after a period of heightened Korea tensions. |
In 2017, North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test, and several missile tests. As a result, some South Koreans have prepared for the worst - buying "war survival bags" in anticipation of a possible nuclear attack. | In 2017, North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test, and several missile tests. As a result, some South Koreans have prepared for the worst - buying "war survival bags" in anticipation of a possible nuclear attack. |
But then came North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's "olive branch", when he announced in his New Year's speech that the North could send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February. | But then came North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's "olive branch", when he announced in his New Year's speech that the North could send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February. |
And both sides appear keen to talk. | And both sides appear keen to talk. |
Whereas previous high-level meetings have been difficult to set up and involved various power struggles - with disputes over the venue, dates and attendees - this time it took just one week for the two Koreas to agree on the specifics of the talks. | Whereas previous high-level meetings have been difficult to set up and involved various power struggles - with disputes over the venue, dates and attendees - this time it took just one week for the two Koreas to agree on the specifics of the talks. |
On 9 January, the talks began on a friendly note. President Moon Jae-in's liberal government in the South is hoping that the discussions could mark the beginning of something bigger, of something beyond just sport. | On 9 January, the talks began on a friendly note. President Moon Jae-in's liberal government in the South is hoping that the discussions could mark the beginning of something bigger, of something beyond just sport. |
Reporting by Kim Hyung Eun of BBC Korean | Reporting by Kim Hyung Eun of BBC Korean |
Previous version
1
Next version