North Korean delegation arrives in Seoul for Olympics preparation

Previous cancellation had briefly cast doubts about North's participation in the games.

January 21, 2018 09:52 am | Updated November 28, 2021 08:11 am IST - SEOUL:

The official emblem of the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games is seen in downtown Seoul, South Korea. North Korean logistics officials arrived in South Korea on Sunday ahead of next month’s Olympics.

The official emblem of the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games is seen in downtown Seoul, South Korea. North Korean logistics officials arrived in South Korea on Sunday ahead of next month’s Olympics.

North Korean logistics officials arrived in South Korea on Sunday after a previous cancellation briefly cast doubts on the North’s participation in next month's Winter Olympics.

South Korean broadcaster YTN reported the delegation had arrived in Seoul early Sunday under a heavy police presence, then boarded a train to Pyeongchang, where the Olympics will be held from February 9-25.

The seven-member North Korean delegation had originally been scheduled to visit on Saturday to check venues for performances by an art troupe during the Olympics, but cancelled just before the visit with no explanation.

Officials from both Koreas used a cross-border hotline to reschedule the visit.

Call it a diplomatic victory

The preparations are part of the North’s participation in the games, an apparent diplomatic breakthrough after months of high tension over the North’s nuclear and missile programme.

North Korea will send 22 athletes to the Winter Games in the neighbouring South next month and compete in three sports and five disciplines, the International Olympic Committee said on Saturday.

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