South Korea and the Asian Games: The First Step to the World

Abstract

Despite the fact that 1986 Seoul Asian Games was the first international mega-event ever staged in Korea, the significance of the Games has been largely underestimated due to the emphasis on the impact in Seoul Olympics held in 1988. This contribution explores the politics and power structure surrounding the Games; discusses the influence of nationalism, globalism and Orientalism on the Games and examine the significance of the Games and its impact on Korean society. It is concluded that the hosting of the Seoul Olympic Games boosted the domestic economy and improved social infrastructure, as well as enhancing the national prestige of Korea. On the other hand, the Games were politically used to legitimize military dictatorship by diverting people's attention from democracy. Most notably, the Games were an opportunity for the manifestation and strengthening of nationalism, embracing globalism and orientalism at the same time by expanding Western sport and adopting Eastern sport. The influence of Seoul Asian Games on Korean sport and society is enormous, especially in terms of the expansion of active life-style and the growth of mass sport.