South Korea and North Korea competed in some events at the 2018 Asian Para Games as a unified team, under the title "Korea" (COR). The two Koreas competed under one team in three events; one in swimming and two in table tennis.[1] This marked the first time the two countries compete in para-sport event.[2]

The delegation of the two Koreas marched together in the opening ceremony. South Korean wheelchair fencer Kim Sun-mi and North Korean swimmer Sim Sung-hyok were the joint flag-bearers during the ceremony.[3]

Competitors

The following is a list of the number of competitors representing the unified Korea that participated at the Games:

Sport North Korea South Korea Total
Swimming 2 6 8
Table tennis 2 2 4
Total 4 8 12

Unlike Asian Games, athletes also competed under their respective national team in individual events.

Medalists

Medal Name Sport Event Date
 Silver Kim Yong-rok
Park Hong-kyu		 Table tennis Men's Team TT 6–7 13 October
 Bronze
  • Kim Sae-hun
  • Kwon Hyun
  • Kwon Yong-hwa
  • Lee Dong-gu
 Swimming Men's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay - 34 points 8 October

Swimming

A unified Korean swimming team participated in the men's freestyle relay and mixed relay with South Korean coach Sun Chang-yong mentoring the team.[4]

Men's freestyle relay
  • South Korea Kwon Yong-hwa (S7 category)
  • South Korea Lim Woo-geun (SB5)
  • South Korea Kwon Hyun (S9)
  • North Korea Jong Guk-song (S9)
Mixed relay
  • South Korea Kwon Hyun
  • South Korea Kwon Yong-hwa
  • South Korea Lee Dong-gu (S7)
  • South Korea Kim Sae-hun (S9)
  • South Korea Jeon Hyung-woo (S9)
  • North Korea Jong Guk-song
  • North Korea Sim Song-hyok

Table tennis

Two players each from South and North Korea played for the unified Korea team at the Para Asian Games. Ri Chol-ung of North Korea served as their head coach.[4]

  • South Korea Park Hong-kyu
  • South Korea Lee Se-ho
  • North Korea Pak Kum-jin
  • North Korea Kim Yong-rok

See also

References

  1. ^ "Indonesia 2018: North and South Korea to march together". Official Website of the Paralympic Movement. International Paralympic Committee. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Koreas march together at Asian Para Games Opening Ceremony". Inside the games. 6 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Koreas march together under single flag at Asian Para Games". Joint Press Corps-Yonhap. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Koreas confirm roster for joint teams at Asian Para Games". The Korea Times. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.