[공유] North Korean delegation arrives for historic Pyeongchang 2018 appearance > 최신뉴스

A 32-strong delegation from the secluded state arrived by chartered plane at Yangyang International Airport today and was led by vice sports minister Won Kil-u. Three Alpine skiers, three cross-country skiers, two figure skaters and two short track speed skaters were the athletes to travel. They join 12 women's ice hockey players who have already arrived to form a joint team with the South. All of the athletes have now entered the Gangneung Olympic Village. "I send regards from our people of the North to the people in the South," said Won, according to Yonhap. Pairs athletes Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik were the figure skaters on board while Jong Kwang-bom and Choe Un-song will race in the men's 1,500 and 500 metres short-track events. Han Chun-gyong, Pak Il-chol and Kim Ryon-hyang will all compete in cross-country skiing events. Two men - Choe Myong-gwang and Kang Song-il - will participate in slalom and giant slalom Alpine skiing, as will female athlete Kim Ryon-hyang. North Korea, under its leader Kim Jong-un, had become increasingly isolated from the world in recent months due to its insistance on pursuing a nuclear programme and its missile launches. Strained rhetoric between Kim and United States President Donald Trump led to security fears surrounding the Games in Pyeongchang, which open on February 9. However, Kim's New Year's Day announcement that his country wanted to compete at the Games led to a thawing in relations. Following a meeting in Lausanne between both countries, the International Olympic Committee and Pyeongchang 2018, it was announced that 22 North Koreans will compete at the Games. The neighbouring countries will also march under a unified Korean flag at the Opening Ceremony while the women's ice hockey team will historically feature players from both. North Korea has also agreed to send a taekwondo demonstration team and other performers to the Games. But a joint cultural performance in the North was cancelled at short notice this week. The event was due to be held at Mount Kumgang on February 4 but the country pulled the plug via a telegram. According to Yonhap, North Korea blamed what it perceived as "biased" media reports about the event. The Unification Ministry in the South said its neighbour had also been upset about reports on a potential North Korean military parade on the eve of the Pyeongchang 2018 Opening Ceremony. 원문보기 : https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1060902/north-korean-delegation-arrives-for-historic-pyeongchang-2018-appearance