Seoul: A South Korean delegation of athletes and officials, led by Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, arrived in Pyongyang in 2018 to participate in inter-Korean friendly basketball matches. The delegation traveled aboard Air Force transport planes, marking the first instance since the 1953 Armistice Agreement that South Korean military aircraft have landed on North Korean soil.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this historic event underscored a significant moment in inter-Korean relations, highlighting the thawing tensions and fostering goodwill between the two Koreas. The visit aimed to promote peace and unity through sports diplomacy, amidst ongoing political and military tensions in the region.
The inter-Korean basketball matches were part of broader efforts to improve relations on the Korean Peninsula, as both nations sought to engage in dialogue and mutual cooperation. The unprecedented landing of South Korean military planes in North Korea symbolized a hopeful step towards reconciliation and peace in the region, reflecting a commitment to resolving longstanding conflicts through peaceful means.