By Kim Hyelin
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon on Feb. 9 adopted a joint statement with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts on raising cooperation in sports.
Minister Park held the fourth sports ministers meeting of Korea, Japan and China with Keiko Nagaoka, Japanese minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, and Zhou Jinqiang, deputy head of the General Administration of Sport in China, to discuss related matters at Defense Convention in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. The event was held virtually due to COVID-19.
In his keynote speech, Minister Park said, "Now is the time to expand new horizons in sports exchange in Northeast Asia," adding, "Based on the unifying power of sports, the three countries should act as leaders of international sports in the post-COVID-19 era."
Introducing the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon-do Province, he also urged the active participation of athletes from the three countries as well as their support. The Japanese and Chinese officials pledged efforts for a successful hosting of the event.
The three sides also agreed to form a consultation channel to spread the assets of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics, 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and last year's Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics to future generations and continue cooperation.
The 2023 Seoul Joint Declaration that the three sides adopted aims to spread the Olympic spirit for future generations, promote solidarity for sustainable sports development covering senior citizens, disabled people, underdeveloped countries and the environment, and boost cooperation in professional sports, doping prevention, sports for life and sport-related industries.
Based on what was discussed at these talks, they will also hold a meeting of section chiefs to regularly check implementation.
The trilateral sports ministers' meeting has been held every two years since 2016, with the next edition slated for next year in Japan.
kimhyelin211@korea.kr
