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Two Koreas march in one at Asian Games opening ceremony

The Asian Games have been declared open in Indonesia, with North and South Korean athletes marching together under a common flag.

Thousands of spectators cheered as athletes from the rival Koreas paraded side-by-side behind a "unification" flag at the Asian games in Indonesia
Thousands of spectators cheered as athletes from the rival Koreas paraded side-by-side behind a "unification" flag at the Asian games in Indonesia Source: AP

Thousands of spectators have cheered wildly as athletes from the rival Koreas paraded side-by-side behind a "unification" flag in a spectacular opening ceremony for the Asian Games.

The two countries, still technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, have fielded 60 athletes in combined teams along with larger contingents for their respective national squads.

North and South Korean athletes are competing together in several sports at the event in Indonesia, including women's basketball and rowing.

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Indonesia welcomes Asia with explosive opening ceremony

 

South Korean prime minister Lee Nak-yon and several North Korean ministers watched as the athletes, many holding hands, paraded by in blue and white outfits behind South Korean basketballer Lim Yung-hui and North Korean football player Ju Kyong Chol, who together carried the flag.

Some 42,000 people packed the Bung Karno stadium in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Saturday evening for an elaborate ceremony showcasing diverse Indonesian culture.

 

 


1 min read

Published

Updated

By SBS/AAP

Presented by Yang J. Joo

Source: AAP, SBS



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