March 7, 1986
International Olympic Committee Meeting with the DPRK delegation regarding the Details of holding the 1988 Olympic Games in Pyongyang
(stamped confidential)
INFORMAL MEETING WITH THE DELEGATION OF THE DPR KOREA
Lausanne, 7th March 1986 – 10.15 hours
Persons present :
For the IOC
H.E. Mr. Juan Antonio SAMARANCH, IOC President
Mr. Alexandru SIPERCO, 1st Vice-President of the IOC
For the NOC of the DPR Korea
My. Yu Sun KIM, IOC member in the DPR Korea and President of the NOC
Mr. Chung Guk KIM, Vice-President of the NOC
Mr. Deuk Kil KIM, member of the NOC
My. Youn Myeung JIN, First Secretary DPR Korean Mission Geneva
On behalf of the delegation of the NOC of the DPR Korea, Mr. Yu Sun Kim thanked the IOC President for this opportunity to hold a further meeting together and was pleased to say that during the recent meetings, a step forward had been made. He commented that discussions had been continuing with the 1st Vice-President of the IOC, Mr. Siperco since the last meeting.
Mr. Kim stated that both the Government of the DPR Korea and the NOC were pleased with the results of the first two joint meetings and had given the necessary instructions to begin the construction of an Olympic Village in Pyong-Yang.
Mr. Kim then made the following comments :
1. Sports events to be held in Pyong-Yang
Following the discussions regarding the possibility of staging three full events in Pyong-Yang i.e. football, table tennis and archery, preparations had begun in Pyong-Yang for the Olympic Village, as stated previously and for the staging of these three sports.
Upon the advice of the IOC President and the invitation of the President of the FITA, a delegation from the NOC of the DPR Korea had participated in a meeting in Rome. The delegation had been headed by the Director of International Relations.
The delegation had also held discussions with the FIFA, which seemed disposed to accept a proposal from the IOC for the staging of football in Pyong-Yang on the occasion of the Games of the XXIVth Olympiad.
In addition, discussions had been held with the Vice President of the ITTF, the result of which had been very positive.
Given the constructions being undertaken for the Olympic Village and the sports sites, the Government and the NOC of the DPR Korea wished to propose that the sports be extended to include wrestling, gymnastics and judo.
2. Name to be given to the Games
The delegation of the DPR Korea reiterated the previous denomination which they wished to give the Games: “Games of the XXIVth Olympiad in Pyong-Yang-Seoul” or “Games of the XXIVth Olympiad in Seoul-Pyong-Yang”. In any case “Games of the XXIVth Olympiad” would be retained and the city would change accordingly.
3. Organisation of the Games in Pyong-Yang
The delegation of the DPR Korea requested that there be a special organising committee under the authority of the IOC and stressed that this be situated in Pyong-Yang.
4. Joint team
Mr. Kim commented that there were still divergencies [sic] regarding the participation of North and South Korea as a joint team in the Games. He explained that previous summits regarding this matter had failed. However if the discussions were based on the Olympic Games rather than International Competitions and a representative of the IOC was present, the discussions would be more fruitful. In addition, the presence of a representative from the IOC was all the more important as the participation of Korea in the Olympic Games would be discussed.
Contacts had taken place with South Korea and there had already been two joint meetings in this respect in the presence of an IOC representative, in Hong Kong and Lausanne.
The possibility of the two Koreas participating in the Games of the XXIVth Olympiad with a joint team would be beneficial to the image of the Games, the promotion of peace and unification.
However, the delegation of the DPR Korea stated that it maintained a flexible attitude and was willing to have a partially joint team, with only a combined team for some sports.
…
The IOC President thanked Mr. Yu Sun Kim and the delegation for their efforts. He commented that although there had been a step forward, no agreement had yet been reached and it was essential that a solution be found at the meeting planned for 10th and 11th June 1986 in Lausanne.
The IOC President stated that he would reply in turn to the various questions of Mr. Kim, but stressed that no firm agreement could be given on the part of the IOC until the meeting in June.
1. Sports events to be held in Pyong-Yang
Regarding the construction being undertaken for the Olympic Village and sports venues, the IOC President commented that this was up to the NOC and the Government to decide. He only wanted to point out that no agreement had yet been reached.
As far as the actual sports were concerned, the IOC President reiterated his previous position : he would only be willing to speak to the IFs when a firm confirmation was received from the NOC of the DPR Korea regarding its participation in the Olympic Games in Seoul. Up to the present time, he had not therefore contacted the IFs.
The request of the delegation for 3 more sports to be held in Pyong-Yang would be studied by the IOC Executive Board.
2. Name to be given to the Games
The IOC President clarified that any firm decision regarding the denomination of the Games in 1988 had to be approved by the IOC Executive Board and would therefore be studied further.
3. Organisation of the Games in Pyong-Yang
In principle, the IOC agreed that if sports events were to be held in Pyong Yang a special organising committee based in Pyong Yang would be set up on order to organise these.
4. Joint team
The IOC President did not feel that this was a problem for the IOC, but for the two Koreas.
He pointed out that the IOC’s participation in the meetings in Hong Kong and Lausanne had not been positive and therefore the IOC would no longer take any part. The IOC would encourage the stating of a meeting between the two parties but would not take any responsibility for the organisation.
The IOC President drew the attention of the delegation to the fact that there were only three months left before the meeting in June and that it would be necessary to find a solution by this date.
Many details still remained to be resolved and he proposed that the delegation continue its discussions with Vice-President Siperco.
Mr. Kim thanked the IOC President for his comments and hoped that the IOC would study the proposals of the NOC of the DPR Korea in a favourable manner. As far as the participation of the DPR Korea in the Games in Seoul was concerned, this would be considered if it was possible to have a partially joint team.
The IOC President referred to the meeting held with the DPR Korean delegation on 20th January 1986. When he had clearly stated that he was only prepared to contact the IFs upon the confirmation of the DPR Koreas participation in Seoul, Ambassador Kim had commented that this was not diplomatic.
The IOC President wished to stressed that the position of the IOC was still the same and that he was still awaiting a reply regarding participation.
Mr. Kim stated that as the events in Pyong-Yang and Seoul would be held at the same time, that DPR Korea would therefore be taking part in Seoul.
Ambassador Kim pointed out that if the if the IOC’s aim was to have as many delegations participating in the Games as possible, this was also the goal of North Korea.
In addition, the Ambassador asked whether now that a firm answer had been given regarding participation, the IOC was willing to grant three more sports.
The IOC President commented that this was the first time than an answer had been given regarding the participation of the NOC of the DPR Korea in the Olympic Games in Seoul and that he would now be in a position to commence discussions with the IFs concerned. He pointed that it would not be easy to convince the IFs but that he would do his best.
As far as the increase in the number of sports stage in Pyong-Yang was concerned, the IOC President reiterated that he must first of all discuss this question with the IOC Executive Board which would be meeting in Seoul in April.
In his personal opinion, the IOC President felt that 6 sports was too many, but that as President of the IOC he was obliged to consult the Executive Board.
The delegation requested a reply as soon as possible and asked if it would be at all possible to move the joint meeting to an earlier date, perhaps mid-April.
The IOC President stressed that he was obliged to consult the South Korean delegation prior to any Change of plan.
Regarding the participation of the DPR Korea in the meeting in Seoul in April, the IOC President reiterated that he was only giving advice and that he was not obliging the delegation to attend. The majority of the NOCs would be present on this occasion and the NOC of the DPR Korea must do whatever it considered best for its country. He pointed out that there would not only be the meeting of the ANOC, but also of the NOCs with the IOC Executive board.
The delegation asked whether it would be possible to meet again with the IOC President on the following day, to which the President explained that he would be absent from Lausanne until the end of March. However, discussions could be continued with Vice-President Siperco and a further meeting could be arranged if necessary.
Mr. Kim reassured the IOC President of the participation of the DPR Korea in Seoul as in other International competitions and thanked the IOC for the sincerity of its efforts.
The delegation of the DPR Korea agreed to continue its discussions with Vice-President Siperco.
The meeting closed at 11.30 hours.
INFORMAL MEETING WITH THE DELEGATION OF THE DPR KOREA
Lausanne, 7th March 1986 – 10.15 hours
Persons present :
For the IOC
H.E. Mr. Juan Antonio SAMARANCH, IOC President
Mr. Alexandru SIPERCO, 1st Vice-President of the IOC
For the NOC of the DPR Korea
My. Yu Sun KIM, IOC member in the DPR Korea and President of the NOC
Mr. Chung Guk KIM, Vice-President of the NOC
Mr. Deuk Kil KIM, member of the NOC
My. Youn Myeung JIN, First Secretary DPR Korean Mission Geneva
On behalf of the delegation of the NOC of the DPR Korea, Mr. Yu Sun Kim thanked the IOC President for this opportunity to hold a further meeting together and was pleased to say that during the recent meetings, a step forward had been made. He commented that discussions had been continuing with the 1st Vice-President of the IOC, Mr. Siperco since the last meeting.
Mr. Kim stated that both the Government of the DPR Korea and the NOC were pleased with the results of the first two joint meetings and had given the necessary instructions to begin the construction of an Olympic Village in Pyong-Yang.
Mr. Kim then made the following comments :
1. Sports events to be held in Pyong-Yang
Following the discussions regarding the possibility of staging three full events in Pyong-Yang i.e. football, table tennis and archery, preparations had begun in Pyong-Yang for the Olympic Village, as stated previously and for the staging of these three sports.
Upon the advice of the IOC President and the invitation of the President of the FITA, a delegation from the NOC of the DPR Korea had participated in a meeting in Rome. The delegation had been headed by the Director of International Relations.
The delegation had also held discussions with the FIFA, which seemed disposed to accept a proposal from the IOC for the staging of football in Pyong-Yang on the occasion of the Games of the XXIVth Olympiad.
In addition, discussions had been held with the Vice President of the ITTF, the result of which had been very positive.
Given the constructions being undertaken for the Olympic Village and the sports sites, the Government and the NOC of the DPR Korea wished to propose that the sports be extended to include wrestling, gymnastics and judo.
2. Name to be given to the Games
The delegation of the DPR Korea reiterated the previous denomination which they wished to give the Games: “Games of the XXIVth Olympiad in Pyong-Yang-Seoul” or “Games of the XXIVth Olympiad in Seoul-Pyong-Yang”. In any case “Games of the XXIVth Olympiad” would be retained and the city would change accordingly.
3. Organisation of the Games in Pyong-Yang
The delegation of the DPR Korea requested that there be a special organising committee under the authority of the IOC and stressed that this be situated in Pyong-Yang.
4. Joint team
Mr. Kim commented that there were still divergencies [sic] regarding the participation of North and South Korea as a joint team in the Games. He explained that previous summits regarding this matter had failed. However if the discussions were based on the Olympic Games rather than International Competitions and a representative of the IOC was present, the discussions would be more fruitful. In addition, the presence of a representative from the IOC was all the more important as the participation of Korea in the Olympic Games would be discussed.
Contacts had taken place with South Korea and there had already been two joint meetings in this respect in the presence of an IOC representative, in Hong Kong and Lausanne.
The possibility of the two Koreas participating in the Games of the XXIVth Olympiad with a joint team would be beneficial to the image of the Games, the promotion of peace and unification.
However, the delegation of the DPR Korea stated that it maintained a flexible attitude and was willing to have a partially joint team, with only a combined team for some sports.
…
The IOC President thanked Mr. Yu Sun Kim and the delegation for their efforts. He commented that although there had been a step forward, no agreement had yet been reached and it was essential that a solution be found at the meeting planned for 10th and 11th June 1986 in Lausanne.
The IOC President stated that he would reply in turn to the various questions of Mr. Kim, but stressed that no firm agreement could be given on the part of the IOC until the meeting in June.
1. Sports events to be held in Pyong-Yang
Regarding the construction being undertaken for the Olympic Village and sports venues, the IOC President commented that this was up to the NOC and the Government to decide. He only wanted to point out that no agreement had yet been reached.
As far as the actual sports were concerned, the IOC President reiterated his previous position : he would only be willing to speak to the IFs when a firm confirmation was received from the NOC of the DPR Korea regarding its participation in the Olympic Games in Seoul. Up to the present time, he had not therefore contacted the IFs.
The request of the delegation for 3 more sports to be held in Pyong-Yang would be studied by the IOC Executive Board.
2. Name to be given to the Games
The IOC President clarified that any firm decision regarding the denomination of the Games in 1988 had to be approved by the IOC Executive Board and would therefore be studied further.
3. Organisation of the Games in Pyong-Yang
In principle, the IOC agreed that if sports events were to be held in Pyong Yang a special organising committee based in Pyong Yang would be set up on order to organise these.
4. Joint team
The IOC President did not feel that this was a problem for the IOC, but for the two Koreas.
He pointed out that the IOC’s participation in the meetings in Hong Kong and Lausanne had not been positive and therefore the IOC would no longer take any part. The IOC would encourage the stating of a meeting between the two parties but would not take any responsibility for the organisation.
The IOC President drew the attention of the delegation to the fact that there were only three months left before the meeting in June and that it would be necessary to find a solution by this date.
Many details still remained to be resolved and he proposed that the delegation continue its discussions with Vice-President Siperco.
Mr. Kim thanked the IOC President for his comments and hoped that the IOC would study the proposals of the NOC of the DPR Korea in a favourable manner. As far as the participation of the DPR Korea in the Games in Seoul was concerned, this would be considered if it was possible to have a partially joint team.
The IOC President referred to the meeting held with the DPR Korean delegation on 20th January 1986. When he had clearly stated that he was only prepared to contact the IFs upon the confirmation of the DPR Koreas participation in Seoul, Ambassador Kim had commented that this was not diplomatic.
The IOC President wished to stressed that the position of the IOC was still the same and that he was still awaiting a reply regarding participation.
Mr. Kim stated that as the events in Pyong-Yang and Seoul would be held at the same time, that DPR Korea would therefore be taking part in Seoul.
Ambassador Kim pointed out that if the if the IOC’s aim was to have as many delegations participating in the Games as possible, this was also the goal of North Korea.
In addition, the Ambassador asked whether now that a firm answer had been given regarding participation, the IOC was willing to grant three more sports.
The IOC President commented that this was the first time than an answer had been given regarding the participation of the NOC of the DPR Korea in the Olympic Games in Seoul and that he would now be in a position to commence discussions with the IFs concerned. He pointed that it would not be easy to convince the IFs but that he would do his best.
As far as the increase in the number of sports stage in Pyong-Yang was concerned, the IOC President reiterated that he must first of all discuss this question with the IOC Executive Board which would be meeting in Seoul in April.
In his personal opinion, the IOC President felt that 6 sports was too many, but that as President of the IOC he was obliged to consult the Executive Board.
The delegation requested a reply as soon as possible and asked if it would be at all possible to move the joint meeting to an earlier date, perhaps mid-April.
The IOC President stressed that he was obliged to consult the South Korean delegation prior to any Change of plan.
Regarding the participation of the DPR Korea in the meeting in Seoul in April, the IOC President reiterated that he was only giving advice and that he was not obliging the delegation to attend. The majority of the NOCs would be present on this occasion and the NOC of the DPR Korea must do whatever it considered best for its country. He pointed out that there would not only be the meeting of the ANOC, but also of the NOCs with the IOC Executive board.
The delegation asked whether it would be possible to meet again with the IOC President on the following day, to which the President explained that he would be absent from Lausanne until the end of March. However, discussions could be continued with Vice-President Siperco and a further meeting could be arranged if necessary.
Mr. Kim reassured the IOC President of the participation of the DPR Korea in Seoul as in other International competitions and thanked the IOC for the sincerity of its efforts.
The delegation of the DPR Korea agreed to continue its discussions with Vice-President Siperco.
The meeting closed at 11.30 hours.
Notes on a meeting between IOC President Samaranch (with IOC VP Siperco) and members of the North Korean Olympic Committee. Topics discussed included sports events to be held in Pyongyang, the name to be given to the 1988 Summer Games, the organization of games in Pyongyang, and a joint North-South Korea team.
Associated Places
Associated Topics
Subjects Discussed
Document Information
Source
International Olympic Committee Archives (Switzerland), SEOUL’ 88, POLITICAL MATTERS, DE 1982 A MAI 86. Obtained for NKIDP by Sergey Radchenko.
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