First-Ever 'Cruise Ship Village'... But Why Toyotomi?

[Anchor]

The upcoming Nagoya Asian Games will use an ultra-large cruise ship as athlete accommodation for the first time in the history of the event. However, controversy has erupted after a person dressed as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the historical figure who initiated the Imjin War, appeared at the port welcome event.

Reporter Yu Byeongmin has the details from Nagoya.

[Reporter]

An ultra-large cruise ship moored at Nagoya's Kinjo Pier boasts a magnificent presence.

Having departed from Busan and arrived in Nagoya, this vessel is the Costa Serena, which will be used as athlete accommodation for the Games.

Instead of a traditional athletes' village, the organizing committee rented the ship for three weeks at a cost of approximately 39 billion won. This marks the first time in history that a cruise ship has been deployed as an official athletes' village for an international multi-sport event.

[Omura Hideaki / President of the Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee : I am truly delighted that we are able to host a large-scale international sports event with this new form of accommodation.]

Measuring 290 meters in length, taller than the 63 Building, and standing as high as a 14-story apartment building, the Costa Serena is scheduled to accommodate 4,000 athletes across 1,500 rooms. True to its luxury cruise status, it is equipped with various convenience facilities, including restaurants and swimming pools.

South Korean athletes across 17 sports, including table tennis and judo, have been assigned to the cruise ship village, giving them a unique experience.

However, controversy has arisen because the opening performance prepared by the organizing committee featured a person dressed as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the very figure who launched the Imjin War, taking the stage as the opening act.

Five years ago during the Tokyo Olympics, the South Korean delegation hung a banner on the exterior wall of the athletes' village inspired by Admiral Yi Sun-sin's famous quote. Japanese media raised issues claiming it was a political message, and far-right groups protested in front of the village, eventually forcing the banner to be taken down.

The organizing committee explained that Toyotomi, Oda, and Tokugawa are historical figures from the Nagoya region and that the performance was meant to welcome the opening of the Games. Nevertheless, criticism is unavoidable that featuring such a figure is inappropriate for a "festival of peace."

(Video Reporter: Kim Se-kyung, Video Editor: Park Choon-bae, Design: Kim Min-young, Video Courtesy of: YouTube HB Tour)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.