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South Korean skiers to train with North Koreans

The South Korean delegation, which includes roughly 30 athletes flew in a chartered Asiana Airlines from Yangyang International Airport in northeastern South Korea to Kalma Airport in Wonsan.

By Sajith
South Korean skiers on a chartered flight wave before taking off to North Korea.

Seoul, January 31: South Korea will begin a joint training programme at the Masikryong ski resort in North Korea as had been initially planned and has send a 45-member delegation for a two-day trip.

The South Korean delegation, which includes roughly 30 athletes flew in a chartered Asiana Airlines from Yangyang International Airport in northeastern South Korea to Kalma Airport in Wonsan.

The charter had been set up in order not to conflict with existing sanctions imposed against North Korea by the United States, South's Ministry of Unificationspokesman Baik Tae-hyun told a regular briefing.

The South Korean delegation will be joined on their return trip by North Koreans who will visit the South to prepare for the Pyeongchang Olympics that begin on February 9.

North and South Korea launched rare talks early in January to bring North Koreans to the Winter Olympics after the North's leader, Kim

It may be recalled that recently, a delegation of North Korean officials and ice hockey players crossed the heavily guarded border into South Korea for joint Olympics training, as Pyongyang called for all Koreans to seek unification of the two nations.

The group included 12 North Korean players who will form a combined women's ice hockey team with their southern counterparts as they travelled on to a national athletes' village in southern South Korea, where they were welcomed by their South Korean teammates and Canadian coach Sarah Murray, who presented them flower bouquets in an outdoor welcoming ceremony.

Athletes from the two Koreas have paraded together at the opening and closing ceremonies of major international games before, although it has not been seen since the 2007 Asian Winter Games in China after relations chilled under nearly a decade of conservative rule in the South.

The Winter Olympics next month will usher in a new wave of camaraderie in the bilateral ties between the warring neighbours as the two nations are contemplating fielding a joint women's ice hockey team as well.

(With Agency inputs)

Story first published: Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 11:49 [IST]
Other articles published on Jan 31, 2018