Music and Sport for Peace
By Kristyna Chynavova
Kristyna Chynavova is a law student at Charles University in Prague currently finishing her Master's degree focusing on International Humanitarian Law. Kristyna is a researcher and program coordinator in Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, she also participates in international conferences focusing mostly on nuclear weapons and climate change. She is also a piano teacher, K-pop performer and winner of 2nd place at K-pop World Festival 2014.
Filled with amazement, the whole world was watching North and South Korean sportsmen march to the PyeongChang Olympic stadium under the Korean Unification flag, which could be last seen at the Winter Olympic Games in 2006. Not only did the two nations appear hand-in-hand during the opening ceremony, they also formed a joint women’s ice hockey team. Some might raise a complaint regarding the gender imbalance and the truth is that creating a male team will probably take a little longer as those are seen as more prestigious and generally get more attention.
Nevertheless, after more than a decade of growing tension and mistrust between both countries, these acts were powerful gestures of good will. The Olympic Games’ legacy does not consist only of medals and new luxurious buildings but also, as Lee Nak Yeon, Prime Minister of South Korea, said in his speech at the 1st Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony of the Pyeong Chang Olympics and Paralympics, the greatest achievement is the new order and much warmer relationship between the two countries. Now the door leading to peace on Korean peninsula and an open dialog is wide open.
At the same event, former South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna, expressed her anticipation for the future as the Olympics set off a dream in both nations to team up, create a friendly environment and end hostilities. Similar thoughts and hopes were also formulated by the players themselves even though their team lost the game. This inspiring mindset brings the very original peaceful intention of Olympic Games back to life. We cannot be certain how long the effect may last, however, this reunion on the field of sport was symbolically very strong.
Korean leaders did not let the dialogue fade away but started working on further plans already. The two countries want to introduce new combined teams at the 2020 Olympics and most importantly they are willing to launch a joint bid to host the 2032 summer Olympics. President Moon Jae In, who has significantly contributed to the change of inter-Korean relationship, even suggested co-hosting the 2030 World Cup. Compared to the 80’s when North Korea boycotted all South Korean sports events and even the 1988 Olympics held in Seoul, these agreements are of a great meaning and importance for peace in north-east Asia.
To restore long-lost dignity of the so called April’s Fool day, on 1st April last year a concert of South Korean music took place in Pyeongyang. Apart from traditional and conservative program, mainstream K-pop was performed as Red Velvet (a 5 member girl group dancing to energetic rhythms) claimed the stage.The show was attended by 2300 North Koreans including their leader Kim Jong Un, who was clapping to the songs, asking questions about lyrics and generally supporting the musicians.
It was the first time K-pop was allowed in North Korea after more than a decade. During the period when this kind of music was forbidden, South Korea used to provoke the North playing K-pop very, very loudly from huge speakers stationed at the border facing the northern side. only a few years ago when Gangnam Style was released, a photo of North Koreans, watching the music video secretly in a dark room with portraits of their leaders hanging over the TV, went viral. The difference in policy regarding South Korean culture has been tremendeous.
Korean artists are not the only ones using their talents to emphasize the necessity of changing countries’ approach to local as well as worldwide problems. There is a large number of musicians around the world promoting peace and spreading crucial messages, such as Roger Waters of Pink Floyd who has been delivering powerful lyrics raising awareness of key issues of international security, especially of the threat posed by nuclear weapons, and calling for nuclear divestment.
However, music does not necessarily need to be accompanied by any text to help its audience understand. As Yaron Kohlberg of Duo Amal - an Israeli-Palestinian piano duo which has been supporting peace processes through classical music - believes that music is a common language that brings peace to people’s heart. These young men, who perform together on one stage despite coming from two fighting nations, none of which broadly approves of the duo’s actions, are a living proof that all disputes could be overcome if the parties were willing to and that a dialog and acceptance of one another are the key. Music speaks not in words but in emotions understandable to everyone and the duo therefore believes it can contribute to building strong emotional connection.
Countries, nations and ethnicities can only meet through their representatives but (luckily) not only at the political level. Civil society interactions are equally important since law alone can enforce peace but cannot bring deeper inter-human understanding, compassion or a change of heart. In conclusion, benefits of such successful and creative cultural exchanges may be immeasurable.
34호 2019년5월20일(인쇄본).pdf