It's A Good Thing North Korea Will Be Participating In The 2018 Winter Olympics

     The first meaningful conversation between South Korea and North Korea's governments in over two years was nonetheless about reaching an agreement to have North Korea in the 2018 Winter Olympics. There is no surprise that some people have a problem with North Korea's participation in this year's Winter Olympics. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has boasted the threat of launching a nuclear strike if needed be. Kim Jong-un is a very controversial Supreme Leader, he has been called out for the starvation of  his own people and having very dicey relationships with various other countries. With that being said, some political leaders and political pundits don't want North Korea in this year's Olympics. They think that Kim Jong-un is too unstable of a leader and that their country's athletes shouldn't be involved with the international community. I'm writing this Op-Ed piece to tell you that this kind of thinking is wrong. I believe it is in the international sports community's best interest to include North Korea's athletes in the Winter Olympics.

The Winter Olympics is a historic event that only occurs every 4 years. In 2014 there were a record number of countries participating in various events. In my opinion, that is what the vision of the Winter Olympics should be. Each 4 years should have an expansion of participants and countries competing for medals. Expansion shows that the Winter Olympics is diverse and open to accepting new members of the international community. Competition breeds success. Therefore, the more athletes and countries you have competing, the best participant will win their respected event.

North Korea's athletes should have the same opportunity to compete in this year's Winter Olympics as other countries do. Political differences should be put aside for the duration of the events to support and celebrate the athletes competing. Critics would still be skeptical about North Korea's involvement in the Winter Olympics. They say things like Kim Jong-un is too unpredictable and shouldn't be around other countries with the escalated political tensions he has with other world leaders. However, to them I would say, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer".

It makes so much more sense to have North Korea actively involved in the Winter Olympics especially since this year the events are being held in North Korea. It will be so much easier to keep an eye on North Korea if they are part of the Winter Olympics. Just think about the repercussions of denying North Korea's athletes a chance to compete this year. Who knows what actions Kim Jong-un would take against South Korea and other countries. I believe it is too much of a gamble to not include North Korea. The safe bet is to just let their athletes compete and represent their country. This will also help mend the relationship between North Korea and South Korea. Since South Korea shares a boarder with North Korea, it is in their best interest to have a civil relationship and somewhat cater to North Korea. If North Korea were to lash out for not being included in the Winter Olympics, then South Korea would directly/indirectly feel the aftermath of their neighboring countries actions.

We still have to wait and see if the International Olympic Committee in Geneva will agree to North Korea's athletes to compete in the Winter Olympics. North Korea missed a key registration deadline so they have to get special circumstances from the Committee. I still think they will be able to compete in this year's Winter Olympics.

By; Jacob Walls