Signing of the 2025 Sports Exchange Protocol
Russian Sports Award visits North Korea
(Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency = Yonhap News) The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 23rd that Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev and his entourage arrived in Pyongyang on the 22nd. 2024.11.23
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(Moscow, Seoul = Yonhap News) Correspondent Choi In-young and Reporter Oh Soo-jin = North Korea and Russia signed a protocol containing the contents of sports exchanges to be held next year and decided to continue the trend of expanding and strengthening cooperation in the sports field.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 25th that Sports Minister Kim Il-guk and Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev met at the Mansudae Capitol the previous day and signed the ‘2025 Sports Exchange Protocol’.
The meeting between the two ministers was also attended by officials from related departments in North Korea, including Vice Minister of Sports Oh Kwang-hyuk, and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora.
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Although the news agency did not disclose the specific contents of the protocol, it is expected to contain detailed plans for cooperation activities between the two countries next year through various sports events.
In relation to this, Minister Degtyrev said on his Telegram, “I proposed that Russia and North Korea alternately hold summer sports competitions every other year starting from 2025.”
“We are ready to host at least 10 sports competitions, and North Korea also agreed to this proposal,” he added.
He also said, “Early this year, Russia opened a joint training camp for five sports, including boxing, wrestling, synchronized swimming (artistic swimming), rhythmic gymnastics, and figure skating,” and added, “A women’s ice hockey training camp was scheduled for December, and last summer, a training camp for women’s ice hockey was scheduled. He mentioned an example of sports cooperation, saying, “A friendly match was held between the women’s national soccer team.”
TASS news agency reported that the sports exchange protocol includes cooperation in sports science and education, as well as holding training camps for 13 sports.
The Russian Embassy in North Korea announced on Facebook that Russian Minister of Sports Degcharev was visiting North Korea on the 22nd, and that the sports exchange-related agreement scheduled to be concluded during his visit to North Korea includes “joint sports events between the two countries, training of professional personnel, sports tourism, etc.” “It works,” he explained.
The Russian Ministry of Sports announced in a press release last September, before the signing of the Sports Exchange Protocol, that North Korea and Russia are preparing an exchange agreement in 16 sports and that it is scheduled to be signed in Pyongyang in November.
After signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last June, North Korea and Russia are continuing active exchanges in the field of sports, including high-level mutual visits.
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2024/11/25 22:37 Sent
Given the ongoing sanctions against North Korea, what are the potential economic benefits for both North Korea and Russia through this sports cooperation, and could these benefits circumvent international sanctions?
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: North Korea-Russia Sports Cooperation
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Lee Sun-hee:** Professor of International Relations at Seoul National University, specializing in Northeast Asian politics.
* ** Ms. Kim Seong-mi:** Former South Korean Olympic athlete and current sports commentator, known for her expertise on international sports diplomacy.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing a significant development in international relations – the recent signing of a sports exchange protocol between North Korea and Russia. We’re joined by two distinguished guests, Dr. Lee Sun-hee and Ms. Kim Seong-mi, to provide valuable insights into the implications of this agreement.
**Section 1: Geopolitical Context**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, the article mentions that this agreement comes after North Korea and Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty earlier this year. How do you see this sports exchange fitting into the broader geopolitical context of their relationship?
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Kim, sports are often viewed as a tool for soft diplomacy. Do you think this sports cooperation can contribute to a thaw in relations between North Korea and the international community? Could it possibly be a step toward easing tensions?
**Section 2: Sports Diplomacy and Exchanges**
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Kim, what are your thoughts on the proposed plan for Russia and North Korea to alternate hosting summer sports competitions every other year? How might this benefit athletes from both countries?
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, the article lists 16 sports as part of the planned exchange program. Are there any specific sports that you think hold particular significance in this context?
** Section 3: Concerns and Challenges**
* **Interviewer:** Many are concerned about the implications of this closer relationship between North Korea and Russia, particularly regarding sanctions. Dr. Lee, what are your views on the potential for this sports cooperation to inadvertently weaken international efforts to pressure North Korea?
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Kim, from an athlete’s perspective, what are some of the potential challenges or concerns surrounding participating in sporting events hosted in North Korea?
**Section 4: Looking Ahead**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, what do you foresee as the long-term impact of this sports exchange protocol on the relationship between North Korea, Russia, and the wider world?
* **Interviewer:** Ms. Kim, what role do you see sports playing in potentially fostering dialog and understanding between North Korea and other nations in the future?
**Closing:**
Thank you, Dr. Lee and Ms. Kim, for your insightful observations. This agreement undoubtedly raises complex questions with potential ramifications for international relations and the world of sports. We will continue to follow developments closely and provide you with comprehensive coverage of this unfolding story.
