Leaders from North and South Korea met last week at a historic peace summit, where Kim Jong-Un and Moon Jae-In discussed terms that would eventually lead to the reunification of the two countries. To close the ceremonies, the two enjoyed a meal accompanied by a previously unnamed magician, according to reports from the Washington Post. We have since learned that the illusionist who performed during the momentous occasion was none other than Gwang Cheol Kim, one of the current leaders of the Magician’s Association of Korea.
A tipster reached out to us via email that Gwang Cheol Kim is the second son of Thaek Song Kim, who is the current chairman of the North Korean magic society, and that Gwang is “kind of a national hero of the D.P.R.K.” They also mentioned that he is “very good [with all kinds] of magic but also good with bill and card trick [sic].”
The Magician’s Association of Korea was founded in 2001 with the goal of contributing to the development of performance magic in the country, as well as fostering relationships with international magic associations. In 2012, the organization was admitted to Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques, and our source mentioned that there is a possibility for North Korean magicians to join in this year’s World Championships of Magic in Busan, and will likely appear in a joint magic show with South Korea during the gala performance.
Magic, like all great art, knows no boundaries, and it’s nice to hear that it could play a part in helping to break the ice between two countries during such a significant moment in their respective histories.