North Korea skating pair likely for Olympics

Country’s member at IOC expected to head for Lausanne to discuss participation

North Korea’s representative at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the country expects to send a figure skating pair to compete at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games in South Korea next month, Japan’s Kyodo News reported yesterday.

Chang Ung, a North Korean IOC member, told reporters at Beijing’s International Airport that the North Korean pair “will probably participate,” the news agency said.

Chang arrived in Beijing from Pyongyang and is believed to be headed to Switzerland to discuss with the IOC North Korea’s participation in the Games, Kyodo reported, citing an unnamed source.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in his New Year’s Day speech that he would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics. Following the speech, North Korea on Wednesday reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea for talks.

Meanwhile, Dutchman Camiel Eurlings has resigned as his country’s representative on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following allegations of domestic violence in 2015.

In a statement on Friday the IOC said it had accepted Eurlings’ resignation with regret. “We thank him for his contribution...,” the IOC said.

“Although we regret his decision, which is a personal one, we respect the step taken in the interests of the IOC, of the Olympic movement, and of all involved.”

Eurlings, 44, reached an out-of-court settlement last year with his former girlfriend.