S. Korean lawmakers want joint World Cup cheer squad with North

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's parliament will propose that one
cheer squad represent both South and North Korea at next year's World Cup finals,
when teams from the two countries will compete together for the first time,
lawmakers said during a visit here Thursday.

"As the two Koreas have already advanced to the World Cup finals in South Africa,
we need to take this as an opportunity to promote inter-Korean reconciliation and
cooperation," said Rep. Kim Choong-whan, who is leading a bipartisan
parliamentary delegation on a South Africa trip.
South Korea booked its seventh consecutive berth to the World Cup finals this
year as North Korea grabbed its second ticket. The lawmakers said they will pass
a resolution on the formation of an inter-Korean cheering squad next month,
hoping to prod authorities in Seoul and Pyongyang to open formal talks on the
issue.
"I think it would be desirable for the South Korean government to finance the
travel arrangements for about 300 North Korean cheerers to South Africa," said
Kim.
About 4,000 South Korean nationals live in South Africa, while the number of
North Koreans here totals just 20.
Athletes from the two Koreas marched together under one "Korean Peninsula" flag
at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Sydney and Athens.
brk@yna.co.kr
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