North & South to march under same flag into Winter Olympics

NORTH and South Korea are joining forces for the Winter Olympics, and will march under the same flag at the opening ceremony.

The two old foes are set to walk out with unification flags next month, it emerged yesterday.

They have also agreed to field a joint women’s ice hockey team, despite fierce protests in the South.

Critics warned despot Kim Jong-un was “buying time” to complete his nuclear weapons programme, after months of tension over missile tests.

The North Korean dictator is sending an eye-catching delegation to the Games, which open in Pyeongchang in the South on February 9.

He has agreed to 230 cheerleaders, 140 orchestral musicians and 30 taekwondo athletes. A 150-strong delegation will then arrive for March’s Paralympics.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono called it a “charm offensive” due to heavy new trade sanctions. He added: “It is not the time to ease pressure or to reward North Korea.

“The fact [it] is engaging in dialogue could be interpreted as proof sanctions are working.”

Delegation members from both sides met yesterday to discuss how many of Pyongyang’s athletes will take part.

SCRAP

South Korea President Moon Jae-in insisted it was a step forward in crossborder relations, despite tens of thousands of people urging him to scrap the joint ice hockey in online petitions.

The plan is set to be approved by the International Olympic Committee this week. It comes after North Korea missed some registration deadlines.

In the 1980s, the central government launched public campaigns to train people in defence and combat sports.

Despite poverty levels, top athletes in the North train in impressive facilities.

SHAKES North & South teams yesterday. Left, Kim