World Cup Anxiety #2 {North+South} = KOREA?
One of the most interesting things that I learned on our South Korean trip was that both North and South have deep scars between each other. Because of different beliefs and political ideas, both countries are ready to fight at any time, their borders are closed, and nobody is allowed to pass (from one side to the other). Families were separated more than 50 years ago, and since then, lost touch.
Despite all the distance, difference, sadness, hate and many more political issues or feelings, this week the North Korean government got in touch with South Korea's "Department of Unification" asking for help on the airing of the World Cup Games, so that the people in the North could watch the games.
Both countries had a previous and similar agreement 2 years ago for the Olympic Games in Athens, therefore the South Korean T.V. got in touch with FIFA, to see if they will let them extend their signal to the North, since they only bought the rights to show the games in the South.
In North Korea the people are not allowed to see or receive any images or news from oversees, and both radio and T.V. only have shows made by the government. During the last World Cup where the games were in South Korea and Japan, North Koreans got to see only a few moments of the South's game on the semifinal.
And that for me is the beauty of Soccer! Even though they don't talk to each other, they share the same passion, and I think that it would be interesting that if it works out, for one month, both sides will be for the first time in years, united for one cause: to cheer for Korea, for the Korean people, no matter if they are in the North or in the South!!
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Curiosity:
The last time North Korea was in a World Cup, they made a lot of noise, beating Italy and being the first Asian country to qualify for a quarter final. That was in England, 1966.
kisses for all my Korean, American, Brazilian, and worldwide friends,
Amanda
Picture: Me (wearing the Korean official soccer shirt) and Mr. Hwang (one of our entertainment coordinators for the Korean Trip) @ Camp Casey in Korea.
Despite all the distance, difference, sadness, hate and many more political issues or feelings, this week the North Korean government got in touch with South Korea's "Department of Unification" asking for help on the airing of the World Cup Games, so that the people in the North could watch the games.
Both countries had a previous and similar agreement 2 years ago for the Olympic Games in Athens, therefore the South Korean T.V. got in touch with FIFA, to see if they will let them extend their signal to the North, since they only bought the rights to show the games in the South.
In North Korea the people are not allowed to see or receive any images or news from oversees, and both radio and T.V. only have shows made by the government. During the last World Cup where the games were in South Korea and Japan, North Koreans got to see only a few moments of the South's game on the semifinal.
And that for me is the beauty of Soccer! Even though they don't talk to each other, they share the same passion, and I think that it would be interesting that if it works out, for one month, both sides will be for the first time in years, united for one cause: to cheer for Korea, for the Korean people, no matter if they are in the North or in the South!!
--------------------------
Curiosity:
The last time North Korea was in a World Cup, they made a lot of noise, beating Italy and being the first Asian country to qualify for a quarter final. That was in England, 1966.
kisses for all my Korean, American, Brazilian, and worldwide friends,
Amanda
Picture: Me (wearing the Korean official soccer shirt) and Mr. Hwang (one of our entertainment coordinators for the Korean Trip) @ Camp Casey in Korea.
posted by Mustang Sally at
3:09 AM
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