IOC Decision Elicits Mixed Feelings in Korea

(ATR) The coach of the South Korean women’s hockey team says her feelings on adding 12 North Koreans to the roster are "mixed’.

Sarah Murray, women’s head coach, spoke to Korean media following a practice session in Jincheon, South Korea. Murray said she is excited to be part of a historic squad, but is worried how the changes might affect the team less than 20 days from the Games.

"I think the story is great and to be a part of it is important," Murray said, as quoted by Yonhap. "But at the same time, it's mixed feelings because it's at the expense of, 'We don't get to play our full roster.'"

The 12 skaters from North Korea have not joined the team yet, and Murray said she does not know when that will happen. Per the four-party IOC agreement made this weekend the unified Korean hockey team must dress at least 3 North Korean skaters each game. To prepare for the strict rules, Murray says she has created a "ghost roster" of skaters on the team’s fourth line where the North Koreans will play.

"The chemistry on our first, second and third lines is really strong, and the North Koreans' style of play is suited to our fourth line," Murray added. "They're tough, they block shots, and they forecheck. I think they'd fit that role really well.

"When you find out any number of players aren't going to dress for your team, it's not great news. We're happy we're not having to dress as many as 12 players. Right now, our plan is we're going to pick the best players. We're trying to win at the Olympics."

Not all of the players on the squad have been as diplomatic as Murray. So Jung Shin, the team’s goalie, told the Chosun Ilbo that the team was never contacted ahead of any decisions being taken. Now, the squad will have to worry about team chemistry, which had been carefully crafted over the last year.

"Not a word," Shin was quoted as saying.

"I've dreamed of being on the Olympic squad for 14 years. I'm really perplexed and disappointed because I had such high hopes for it. I can't still believe that all this happened less than a month away from the Olympics."

The deal to add North Korean athletes to a unified women's hockey team has hurt South Korean President Jae In Moon's popularity slightly. A poll released over the weekend, reported by South Korean media, put the president's approval rating at 67 percent, his lowest since September of last year.

This weekend the IOC along with North and South Korean officials said that 22 North Korean athletes will compete at PyeongChang in three sports. Both Koreas will march into the 2018 Olympic ceremonies as one team under a unification flag.

An IOC spokesperson told Around the Rings that the delegation will receive assistance from Olympic Solidarity through the IOC Olympic Games Subsidies. The spokesperson did not immediately answer if a deal had been worked with South Korean authorities to ensure that Olympic Solidarity funds were not used for non-Olympic members of the delegation to bypass United Nations sanctions.

"Assistance has been offered for athletes to participate in Qualifying events to the Olympic Games," the spokesperson said. "Additional assistance will be provided to allow them to participate in the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Olympic Solidarity, through the IOC Olympic Games Subsidies, supports all NOCs and additional assistance will be provided if needed (e.g. equipment).

"87 NOCs benefited from the PyeongChang Olympic Scholarships. All participating NOCs are entitled to the IOC Olympic Games participation Subsidy."

The total size of the delegation from North Korea visiting the South during the Olympics could surpass 700 individuals the Chosun Ilbo reported. The report said that the 22 athletes will start arriving on Feb. 1 in addition to sport officials, a cheering squad, a taekwondo team and a group of North Korean reporters. The 140-strong art troupe will come soon after. North Korea will send a 150-strong delegation to the 2018 Paralympics as well.

Over the weekend, a North Korean delegation visited Seoul and Gangneung to scout venues for the troupe. The delegation was led by Song Wol Hyon, the leader of North Korea’s Moranbong Band, a popular music group in the country. Hyon’s visit drew wall-to-wall media coverage in South Korea, with many outlets noting her chic fashion choices.

Hyon did not take questions from reporters, according to local press, but rode the KTX high speed rail from Seoul to Gangneung. In Gangneung, the arrival of the North Korean delegation drew protests from conservative groups in South Korea. The New York Times reported that the protesters attempted to light a photo of Jong Un Kim, North Korea’s leader, on fire before police extinguished the flame. The report said that Hyon’s delegation stayed in a luxury hotel in Gangneung, which was paid for by the South Korean government.

The North Korean sports ministry will send an eight member delegation to South Korea to inspect venues according to the Chosun Ilbo. Meanwhile, South Korean officials are still preparing a visit to the Mt. Kumgang ski resort in North Korea to determine if it can host a joint training session.

With less than three weeks until the Olympics, security personnel are beginning a final two-week check of venues, according to Yonhap. The sweep will last until Feb. 5 and comprise "740 officials from 19 government agencies".

Written by Aaron Bauer

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