North Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics

North Korea took part in the 2018 Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. This was a special moment because it was the first time North Korea joined the games in South Korea. Normally, the two countries compete separately, but this time they worked together in some events.

Two North Korean athletes, pair skaters Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik, wanted to compete, but they missed an important deadline to sign up. Later, they agreed to join the games after talks between the leaders of North and South Korea.

During the games, athletes from both North and South Korea walked together in the Opening Ceremony under a special Korean Unification Flag. In the women's ice hockey event, they formed one team, called the united Korean team. This showed friendship and teamwork between the two countries.

Competitors

Here is the list showing how many athletes from North Korea took part in each sport at the Winter Olympics.

^a Twelve players from the North Korea women's ice hockey team were part of a special team made from players from both North and South Korea, competing under a different country code (COR).

Lead up to the Games

The International Olympic Committee wanted North Korean athletes to join the 2018 Winter Olympics. The IOC offered help with equipment, housing, and travel for North Korean athletes trying to qualify.

North Korean short track speed skaters and cross-country skiers did not make it to the Games. South Korea suggested a unified team of the two Koreas for at least the women's ice hockey event, but North Korea said no because there wasn’t enough time. South Korea also offered for North Korea to co-host some skiing events at the Masikryong Ski Resort, but North Korea turned this down too.

Qualification

Further information: Figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification

Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik qualified for the Games on 29 September 2017 at the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany. They performed well in their programs and took one of the five spots available for pair skaters.

Failure to enter athletes

North Korea’s National Olympic Committee missed the chance to send their athletes by the 30 October deadline. Because of this, the spot went to the next team, Sumire Suto and Francis Boudreau-Audet from Japan. North Korea could still ask to take part, and the IOC said they would be flexible.

High-level talks

In his New Year’s speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said North Korea might send athletes to the Games. This led to talks between the two Koreas on 9 January 2018. After these talks, North Korea agreed to send athletes and a delegation to the Winter Olympics.

Diplomacy at the Games

During the opening ceremony, athletes from North and South Korea walked together under the Korean unification flag. South Korea's Won Yun-jong and North Korea's Hwang Chung-gum both helped carry the flag.

North Korea sent an important group of leaders to the Olympics, including Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, and President Kim Yong-nam. They also brought performers such as the Samjiyon Orchestra. They invited South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, to visit North Korea.

At the start of the Olympics, President Moon met and shook hands with Kim Yo Jong. This was special because it was the first time since the Korean War that a member of North Korea's ruling family visited South Korea.

Alpine skiing

Main articles: Alpine skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics and Alpine skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification

Cross-country skiing

Main articles: Cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics and Cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification

Distance

Figure skating

Main articles: Figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics and Figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification

North Korea wanted to send two figure skaters to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. However, they missed an important deadline to sign up for the event. Later, in January 2018, North Korea agreed to send these athletes along with a group of people to the Olympics.

Women's ice hockey tournament

Main articles: Ice hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Women's tournament and Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics

In January 2018, it was announced that North Korea and South Korea would combine their players to form one team in the women's ice hockey tournament. This team included at least three players from North Korea in every game. The South Korea women's national ice hockey team qualified as the host nation.

Short track speed skating

Main articles: Short track speed skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics and Short track speed skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification