By Kim Rahn
Cheong Wa Dae has expressed discontent at an escalating political offensive over North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, reiterating the need for unified efforts to successfully host the Games.
The stance comes as opposition parties and some conservative groups criticize that Pyongyang is hogging the limelight of the sports event and Seoul is conceding too much to the North with some even calling the PyeongChang Olympics "Pyongyang Olympics" and burning a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the North Korean national flag.
Presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said Tuesday the tension on the Korean Peninsula was explosive only a month ago, referring to the fact that the current mood for dialogue only began Jan. 1 along with Kim's offer to take part in the Games.
The situation has changed through the government's efforts to seek dialogue, but such efforts are marred as the conservative opposition bloc is raising ideological issues unreasonably, he said.
"I don't understand why they label it ‘Pyongyang Olympics,'" Park said in a statement. "At the Incheon Asian Games in 2014, North Korean athletes took part and ranking officials from the North came to watch the event. But nobody called it ‘Pyongyang Asian Games' at that time."
He said back in 2011, all parties agreed to pass a special law on the Olympic Games, which stated the central and local governments would make efforts to promote inter-Korean reconciliation and peace through the Games, and would make administrative and financial support if the two Koreas agree on joint teams or other joint programs.
When the nation was trying to host the Games in 2010, a bipartisan resolution also stated the Olympic Games, if held in the world's sole divided country, would contribute to achieving peace in Northeast Asia and realizing the Olympic spirit of world peace and unity.
"It's not too late for us to recall the spirit. As the host of the Olympics, we have to prepare to give a warm welcome to our guests so everybody can enjoy the event," Park said.
The previous day Moon made similar remarks, calling for unified efforts and support from the opposition bloc and some conservative media unfavorable to the administration to successfully host the Games.
Main opposition Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said earlier in the day Moon is being dragged by Kim's disguised attempts to achieve peace and making the PyeongChang Olympics into the Pyongyang Olympics.
Some conservative protesters also burned a picture of Kim and the North Korean national flag in a rally in front of Seoul Station.
Cheong Wa Dae has expressed discontent at an escalating political offensive over North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, reiterating the need for unified efforts to successfully host the Games.
The stance comes as opposition parties and some conservative groups criticize that Pyongyang is hogging the limelight of the sports event and Seoul is conceding too much to the North with some even calling the PyeongChang Olympics "Pyongyang Olympics" and burning a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the North Korean national flag.
Presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said Tuesday the tension on the Korean Peninsula was explosive only a month ago, referring to the fact that the current mood for dialogue only began Jan. 1 along with Kim's offer to take part in the Games.
The situation has changed through the government's efforts to seek dialogue, but such efforts are marred as the conservative opposition bloc is raising ideological issues unreasonably, he said.
"I don't understand why they label it ‘Pyongyang Olympics,'" Park said in a statement. "At the Incheon Asian Games in 2014, North Korean athletes took part and ranking officials from the North came to watch the event. But nobody called it ‘Pyongyang Asian Games' at that time."
He said back in 2011, all parties agreed to pass a special law on the Olympic Games, which stated the central and local governments would make efforts to promote inter-Korean reconciliation and peace through the Games, and would make administrative and financial support if the two Koreas agree on joint teams or other joint programs.
When the nation was trying to host the Games in 2010, a bipartisan resolution also stated the Olympic Games, if held in the world's sole divided country, would contribute to achieving peace in Northeast Asia and realizing the Olympic spirit of world peace and unity.
"It's not too late for us to recall the spirit. As the host of the Olympics, we have to prepare to give a warm welcome to our guests so everybody can enjoy the event," Park said.
The previous day Moon made similar remarks, calling for unified efforts and support from the opposition bloc and some conservative media unfavorable to the administration to successfully host the Games.
Main opposition Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said earlier in the day Moon is being dragged by Kim's disguised attempts to achieve peace and making the PyeongChang Olympics into the Pyongyang Olympics.
Some conservative protesters also burned a picture of Kim and the North Korean national flag in a rally in front of Seoul Station.
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