12:29, 17-Jan-2018
2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics: DPRK representatives head to Switzerland from Beijing
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Back to this part of the world, and the ongoing discussions over the Winter Olympics between Seoul and Pyongyang. The DPRK's Sports Minister Kim Il-guk along with representatives from his country have arrived in Beijing.
The contingent will now travel to IOC headquarters in Switzerland, to discuss issues involving the Olympiad. Pyongyang has already agreed to send a 140 member art-troupe including singers, dancers and an 80-member orchestra to the Games in Pyeongchang.
The meeting in IOC headquarters will be held Saturday and will discuss an agreement in principle to field a joint women's ice hockey team. But the International Olympic Committee has to sign off first. If a joint team is put together -- it would be the first unified Olympic team ever.
Other issues, such as special rights of participation, the way of the entry in the opening and closing ceremony for both countries, and the use of the flags. The DPRK has two figure skaters trying to gain permission to attend the Olympics, despite not applying to the Games in the prescribed time.
The IOC has decided to prolong the application process for DPRK athletes. The DPRK's consultant to the Internationl Olympic Committee arrived at IOC headquarters last week, a day after Pyongyang stated it will send a delegation to the Winter Olympics.