North and South Korean Fists To Meet in Pyongyang

A pro boxing championship tournament will be held in Pyongyang for the first time in history.

President Park Sang-kwon (54) of the Korea Boxing Committee (KBC) said Friday, “We have decided together with North’s Chosun Athletic Directing Committee to hold a World Boxing Council of Female (WBCF) mini-flyweight class championship tournament between South Korea’s Sohn Cho-rong (18, picture) and a North Korean fighter on June 28 in Pyongyang.”

It is the first time boxers from both North and South Korea have met head-to-head for a pro boxing championship belt since the division of Korea. Also, it is the first time boxers from the North and the South have met in a pro boxing tournament in Pyongyang.

Sohn Cho-rong won the KBC championship last December and is an up-and-coming pro boxing star. She has won five matches in a row (three by knockout). The KBC stated that her North Korean opponent has not yet been picked, but that it will be decided within few days. Besides Sohn Cho-rong’s fight, four other championship matches at different weight classes are planned, including three matches in different weight classes pitting North Korean boxers against boxers from the United States.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com