ID :
187617
Fri, 06/10/2011 - 04:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/187617
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean taekwondo athletes in U.S.
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details)
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON, June 9 (Yonhap) -- A group of North Korean taekwondo athletes arrived in the United States Thursday for a rare performance tour abroad amid hopes of a thaw in Pyongyang-Washington relations as the U.S. appears to be preparing for the resumption of food aid.
The 17-member team, which left Pyongyang on Saturday, arrived in San Francisco at 10:40 a.m. by way of Beijing.
It is the second time that North Korean taekwondo athletes have visited the U.S., following a previous trip in October 2007.
Facing reporters' questions, Bae Nung-man, leader of the delegation, said only, "I would like to thank Jung Woo-jin, president of the Tae Kwon Do Times, for inviting us to the U.S." The Tae Kwon Do Times, a U.S.-based magazine specializing in the martial art, arranged their trip.
When asked to give details on scheduled performances, he said, "You will get to know when you come to see (for yourself)."
He kept mum on politically sensitive questions, including the prospects for North Korea-U.S. ties.
The athletes are scheduled to perform in Boston, New York and Philadelphia this weekend through next week, according to officials at the magazine.
Earlier in the day, a State Department official confirmed that Washington had issued visas for them.
"Visas were issued to a group of North Korean taekwondo athletes," the official said on the condition of anonymity.
But the official stressed that they are traveling "in a private capacity."
Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art and Olympic sport that has gained international popularity. It is also often performed as a cultural activity.
lcd@yna.co.kr
leechidong@gmail.com
(END)
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON, June 9 (Yonhap) -- A group of North Korean taekwondo athletes arrived in the United States Thursday for a rare performance tour abroad amid hopes of a thaw in Pyongyang-Washington relations as the U.S. appears to be preparing for the resumption of food aid.
The 17-member team, which left Pyongyang on Saturday, arrived in San Francisco at 10:40 a.m. by way of Beijing.
It is the second time that North Korean taekwondo athletes have visited the U.S., following a previous trip in October 2007.
Facing reporters' questions, Bae Nung-man, leader of the delegation, said only, "I would like to thank Jung Woo-jin, president of the Tae Kwon Do Times, for inviting us to the U.S." The Tae Kwon Do Times, a U.S.-based magazine specializing in the martial art, arranged their trip.
When asked to give details on scheduled performances, he said, "You will get to know when you come to see (for yourself)."
He kept mum on politically sensitive questions, including the prospects for North Korea-U.S. ties.
The athletes are scheduled to perform in Boston, New York and Philadelphia this weekend through next week, according to officials at the magazine.
Earlier in the day, a State Department official confirmed that Washington had issued visas for them.
"Visas were issued to a group of North Korean taekwondo athletes," the official said on the condition of anonymity.
But the official stressed that they are traveling "in a private capacity."
Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art and Olympic sport that has gained international popularity. It is also often performed as a cultural activity.
lcd@yna.co.kr
leechidong@gmail.com
(END)
