This is not the first time relations between South Korea and the DPRK have been eased by a sporting event. Ahead of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, the DPRK agreed to send a delegation to the Games.

Eventually, a delegation of 273 DPRK athletes and officials went to the Games. Officials included three of the nation's most powerful military and political figures - Hwang Pyong So, Choe Ryong Hae and Kim Yang Gon. They attended the closing ceremony of the Asian Games and met with a number of high-ranking South Korean officials, but did not meet with then-President Park Geun-hye. The DPRK delegation also initiated a second round of talks in late 2014, but later pulled out. They accused South Korea of sending anti-DPRK leaflets and were angered by remarks made by Park at the Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan.