Seoul, Korea, October 9, 2019: President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed Seoul's resolve to co-host the 2032 Olympic Games with DPR Korea in his opening address at the nation's biggest athletic competition, Yonhap News reports.
In February, the two Koreas sent a joint bid for the 2032 Olympics to the International Olympic Committee.
“When the inter-Korean talks were cut off and relations were difficult, sport opened the door for meetings and dialogue," Moon said during the opening ceremony of the 100th Korean National Sports Festival at Jamsil Sports Complex.
Noting that the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, in which DPR Korea participated, helped resume peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, Moon said a possible first-ever co-hosting of the Olympics would open an era of co-prosperity for the two Koreas. He asked citizens and sports communities to support the efforts.
Moon also used the speech, which he delivered on October 4, to celebrate the centennial of the national sports contest and promised to support athletes and promote sports activities among the public.
“The government will extend support to allow all athletes to achieve their dreams while their autonomy and rights are guaranteed, and to demonstrate their best skills based on equal and fair opportunities," Moon said.