Winter Olympics 2018: A united Korea lights up Pyeongchang's opening ceremony

Pyeongchang, February 9: Athletes from North and South Korea presented a united front as the opening ceremony kicked off Pyeongchang 2018 in spectacular fashion on Friday.

The host nation's stance on welcoming their neighbours from the north to this year's Winter Games was hailed by the IOC as the embodiment of the Olympic spirit.

With Kim Yo-jong - sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un - in attendance, the ceremony passed in a blaze of dazzling light displays, accompanied with hundreds of choreographed dancers and the traditional entry of competitors from each participating country.

The last team out were the Koreans, with athletes from north and south of the border entering the arena together under a united flag, prompting a huge cheer from the crowd.

That moment was certainly the abiding image of a ceremony which provided no shortage of highlights.

The unified Korea team have arrived to @PyeongChang2018! An historic moment for Bobsleigher, Won Yun-jong and ice hockey player, Hwang Chung-gum.

See our @Olympics Opening Ceremony gallery here: https://t.co/hZeYPietrm pic.twitter.com/EkIzPaiXX9

— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) February 9, 2018

BACH LAUDS KOREA'S OLYMPIC SPIRIT

IOC president Thomas Bach addressed the stadium, calling on all at the Games to take inspiration from what they had just witnessed.

"A great example of this unifying power is the joint march here tonight of the two teams from the National Olympic Committees of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Bach said.

"We thank you. All the athletes around me, all the spectators here in the stadium, and all Olympic fans watching around the world… we are all touched by this wonderful gesture. We all join and support you in your message of peace."

Two years on from Rio and @PitaTaufatofua is topless again! Welcome Tonga to the Winter @Olympics!

See more on @pyeongchang2018 here: https://t.co/M70cMvG6ul pic.twitter.com/w8IQKpDLgM

— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) February 9, 2018

TOPLESS TONGAN STARS AGAIN

Take a bow, Pita Taufatofua. The Tongan was touted as the hero of the opening ceremony at Rio 2016, when he entered the - considerably warmer - stadium shirtless while waving the flag of his nation.

Taufatofua competed in taekwondo two years ago, but has since turned his focus to cross-country skiing, and was therefore given the honour of carrying Tonga's flag for a second straight Olympics.

Despite temperatures below freezing, Taufatofua again arrived with his torso exposed, braving the cold with a wide smile.

DONALD, IS THAT YOU?

Away from the glare of the television coverage, two unwanted guests were escorted away from the stadium by security staff.

In a bizarre stunt, two men dressed as Kim Jong-un and US president Donald Trump were led from the premises, down in the bowels of the arena.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Aside from the traditional proceedings, the ceremony organisers put on a spectacular visual and audio show.

A quartet performed John Lennon's Imagine, before a stunning drone display formed the Olympic rings in the sky above the stadium.

Finally, Yuna Kim - a hero in South Korea following her figure skating gold medal at Vancouver 2010 - lit the Olympic flame to get the Games under way in earnest.

Source: OPTA