The Perception of the Unified South-North Korean Women’s Ice Hockey Team for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games among Young Adults in South Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean young adults’ perceptions about the formation process of North and South Korean unified women’s ice hockey team for 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in South Korea. Q-method was used to analyze perceptions about the formation process of the unified ice hockey team. Q-statements were distributed to 42 people in their 20s and 30s in Seoul, South Korea. Distribution of Q-statements was analyzed using Qunal program. We found three types of perception: 1) athletic sacrifice forcing type, a recognition that the formation process of the unified ice hockey team was used for political purpose and a promotional tool for the Olympic Games; 2) inter-Korean exchange development type, a conception that the unified ice hockey team positively contributed to the promotion of exchange of North and South Korea, economic cooperation, peace, and harmony; and 3) political purposes pursuit type, a perception that the formation of the unified ice hockey team was primarily used to achieve political and diplomatic goals and that the media mainly conveyed positive aspect of the unified team for this purpose. The use of sports for political and diplomatic purpose is likely to increase in the future. Perception types among Korean adults in their 20s and 30s are likely to be mixed in the future. Therefore, it is important to promote consensus among Koreans regarding the formation of a South and North Korean unified team in the future.