The North and South Hold The Same Flag At The PyeongChang Winter Olympics
Callista Wilson
Mr. Roddy
Global Politics and
Historical Contexts
16 September
2019
The North and South Hold The Same Flag At
The PyeongChang Winter Olympics
The 2018 Winter
Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea shaped history because for the first
time in almost eighty years, North and South Korea acknowledged each other as
symbolically united. For centuries, Korea was historically unified under ruling dynasties until 1905, when they were colonized by Japan. However, Japan's defeat in World War II, lead to both their liberation and their division because American troops occupied the South, and Soviet troops occupied the North. Following this, the Soviets imposed
a communist social structure on the North, while America
supported people in the South who opposed the ideals of communism. Ultimately, Korea's division was solidified in the early 1950's due to the American and Soviet Cold War, which lead to conflict in Korea, and an official border.
Relating back to the
Olympics in PyeongChang, this provided South Korea with the chance to open
their doors to the world, display their culture and artistic abilities through
the opening ceremonies, and provide the world with a single stage to admire
the athletic talents of people from all corners of the world. This alone,
even without any diplomatic moves toward North Korea, is an example of soft
power through cultural influence. To elaborate, people from all across the
world who watch broadcasts of the Olympics view the landscapes and facilities
that South Korea has to offer. On an even more personal level, the athletes,
coaches, and spectators who travel to the games directly engage with the
South Korean people and culture, diversifying their horizons, and their sense
of empathy. As a result of this, people’s connection to South Korea through
the games lead to an increase of South Korea’s credibility. In other words,
after people become more personally connected to the culture of South Korea,
they may feel inclined to trust the people there more, and feel that South
Korea deserves support and recognition as one of the worlds leading nations.
In terms of the
opening ceremony again, it is clear that South Korea used soft relational
power directed specifically towards North Korea by allowing one athlete from
the South and North to jointly raise a flag displaying an image of Korea.
This was influential as it sent a message to each side and the rest of the
world, that at least symbolically, the two countries recognize each other as
joint, and although they are far from it, they have the aspirations to be on
the same team, and improve their political relationship. Although this
act alone does not change each country’s current situation or views, it
represents the fact that hope still remains for things to be different, and
if a step can be taken towards allowing the North and South to hold the same
flag, and walk together with demeanors of respect and mutuality, then what
other, more concrete steps toward diplomacy and compromise can be taken in the long
term?
References:
www.vox.com/world/2018/1/17/16900972/winter-olympics-opening-ceremony-north-south-korea-flag
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