REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmaf Fahaf Al-Sabah has praised the 18th Asian Games 2018 that opened in Indonesia here on Saturday. He said that it was historic as it has united two countries of the Korean Peninsula.

"We made a history today because South and North Korea have united in one team to compete in the Asian Games 2018," he said in his speech at the 18th Asian Games opening ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

At the ceremony, athletes from South Korea and North Korea paraded under one flag, which is "Korea." Tens of athlete representatives from the two countries were seen wearing white and light blue uniform, which is a combination of colors found in the Korea Unification Flag.

At the opening ceremony, the Korea Unification flag was seen flying along while athletes from the two countries walked into the arena waving the hands up. As they were entering the Gelora Bung Karno stadium, the South Korean ambassador to Indonesia, Kim Chang-beom, and North Korea ambassador An Kwang-il were seen standing hand in hand and waving to their athletes.

The South and North Korean joint team to the Asian Games 2018 proved their commitment to increase cooperation in the field of sports after leaders of the two countries met in May.

In the 18th Asian Games, the Korean team would only take part in three events, namely canoeing, rowing, and basketball. The two countries also emerged jointly at the Winter Olympic 2018 in Pyeong Chang, South Korea, in February.

Asian Games 2018 opening ceremony held at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday (Aug 18).

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Erick Thohir when delivering his remark noted that the Asian nations, with their demographic diversities, have become a dynamic and competitive society.

"Talking about Asia means that we also talk about the diversity of nations. We are all here to celebrate the diversity, to celebrate our differences, to celebrate our humanity, and to channel energy from diverse nations to become a harmonious nation, namely the energy of Asia," Thohir explained.

He said Indonesia could be an example of how people can live side by side peacefully despite having different ethnic and religious backgrounds. He explained that Indonesia has the fourth largest population in the world, which reaches 263 million people, with about 300 groups of ethnicity.

The Indonesian people speak in 700 regional languages and have various religious backgrounds. "The Indonesian nation can live in peace because it is tied to the same national identity, namely Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Welcome to Indonesia, the Energy of Asia," the INASGOC chairman, who also serves as the chair of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), revealed.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that in the 18th Asian Games, all nations in Asia seek to show kinship between countries. He said that the participants were united to achieve success.

"On behalf of the Indonesian people, I would like to share our pride and honor of having the opportunity to host and receive such special guests from 45 countries," he noted.

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