North Korea will send a delegation on Sunday to prepare for a technical team to attend the Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea next month, the South Korean unity ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The visit comes on schedule as it was initially canceled.
Some interpreted Pyongyang’s participation in the Winter Olympics as a clear diplomatic breakthrough after months of mounting tension over North Korea’s nuclear and missile program.
North Korea sent a statement on Saturday saying it would send the delegation by road on Sunday and the schedule could be implemented as agreed, the unity ministry said.
The South Korean government has agreed to the visit, the ministry said.
The International Olympic Committee said on Saturday that North Korea would send a delegation of 22 athletes to participate in the Winter Olympic Games.
The two Koreas agreed to walk together under one flag at the opening ceremony and would join one team in women’s ice hockey, the committee said in a statement, confirming earlier reports.
North Korea will send 24 officials and 21 media representatives.
North Korea’s upcoming participation in the Winter Olympics is seen as a sign of easing tensions over its nuclear and ballistic missile program.
The Olympic Committee said North Korea would compete in three sports – ice skating, skiing and ice hockey for women.
