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Two Koreas to march together at Winter Olympics

January 20, 2018

The IOC has announced that North and South Korea will march under a unified flag at the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The Olympic body has also approved a joint women's hockey team.

https://p.dw.com/p/2rDJ9
North Korea's and South Korea's sports ministers and the IOC president pose with documents after a signing ceremony
Image: picture alliance/AP/L. Gillieron

Speaking at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, the body's president, Thomas Bach, confirmed that both Korean teams would march together in the opening ceremony of next month's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

He also said 22 North Korean athletes will compete in five disciplines, including a joint women's ice hockey team. The other sports are figure skating, short track speedskating, Alpine skiing and cross-country skiing.

"Today is a great moment for the Olympic Movement because the Olympic spirit has brought us all together," Bach, flanked by government officials from both Korean countries, said as part of his opening remarks. He later offered "sincere thanks to the governments of North and South Korea."

Read more: 

— Korean War allies consider further sanctions against North Korea

— North Korea to send its national orchestra to South for Winter Olympics

Last week, officials from both countries met in the neutral village of Panmunjom to discuss the participation of North Korean athletes in the Olympics, among other topics. It was the first time the two countries had met in two years.

North Korea plans to send a delegation of 500 people to the Olympics, which includes 260 cheerleaders and 24 coaches as well as government officials, musicians and journalists.

Pyeongchang is 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from South Korea's border with North Korea. The Games will run from February 9-25.

Koreas agree joint hockey team

dv/rc (AP,  Reuters)