Kim Jong Un’s sister shakes hands with South Korean president Moon Jae In at opening ceremony
IT was over in a matter of seconds, but the impact of the historic moment at the Olympic opening ceremony is being called “unprecedented”.
Teams
Don't miss out on the headlines from Teams. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE sister of rogue North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made history after publicly shaking hands with the South Korean president at the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
The handshake between Kim Yo Jong and South Korean president Moon Jae In was so monumental because it was the first time a member of the Kim Dynasty has set foot on South Korean land since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
It is also the first time a member of the Kim bloodline has met with a South Korean leader on their soil, with previous meetings taking place in North Korean capital Pyongyang.
The move is widely considered to be an unprecedented display of unity and peace between the two nations.
The dictator’s sister was seated behind US Vice President Mike Pence during the ceremony, which saw athletes from both North and South Korea marching into the PyeongChang stadium together in a powerful and tear-jerking moment during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Wearing white, the athletes from the divided country who live amid constant nuclear threats, walked in to huge cheers from the crowd, with “Korea” written on the back of their jackets.
MORE: Channel 7 slammed for coverage
The sight led to “sobbing” from some in the audience and was watched by Kim Jong Un’s sister and South Korean President Moon Jae In, as well as US Vice President Mike Pence.
It was hailed as an incredible moment of unity by Olympic officials, with one saying the world is “touched by this wonderful gesture.”
“We all join and support you in your message of peace. United in our diversity we are stronger than all the forces that want to divide us.”
It’s the first time in 11 years North and South Korea have marched together.
During the 2000s, the two countries’ athletes marched together at the opening and closing ceremonies of several international sporting events, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The last time before Friday was at the Asian Winter Games in China in 2007.
The two countries have also formed a joint women’s hockey team, which consists of 23 South Koreans and 12 North Koreans.
MORE: Tongan star steals the show
North Korea has sent hundreds of people to PyeongChang, including officials, athletes, artists, journalists and a 230-member cheering group.
Russia’s entrance to the stadium was also notable as the athletes marched as “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” under a significant cloud related to past doping concerns.
There are 168 Russians who are being forced to compete in neutral uniforms under the Olympic flag as punishment for Russian doping in Sochi in 2014. Other athletes haven’t been invited to compete at all. Appeals by 45 of them were rejected Friday.
Originally published as Kim Jong Un’s sister shakes hands with South Korean president Moon Jae In at opening ceremony
QAS Athlete Awards to recognise Olympians and Paralympians
Queensland’s finest athletes laud the QAS Athlete Awards being reinstated after 41 finalists were unveiled. FULL LIST HERE
Stingers stun USA: Night that will go down in water polo history
The Aussie Stingers are into an Olympic water polo gold medal match for the first time since Sydney 2000 after winning a penalty shootoout against Team USA to cap a comeback for the ages.