SEOUL: South Korean skiers flew to North Korea on Wednesday to train with its athletes in a conciliatory gesture the countries planned to mark the Winter Olympics in the South.

The chartered flight carrying a delegation of 45 including 24 alpine and cross-country skiers, support staff and journalists arrived in North Korea’s Kalma Airport before the athletes went to the Masik ski resort, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said.

The skiers are reserve members of South Korea’s national team and won’t be participating in the Pyeongchang Games that start on Feb 9.

The South Koreans are to fly back on Thursday accompanied by 10 North Korean athletes six skiers, two figure skaters and two short-track speed skaters who have been invited to participate in the Olympics, according to a pool report. Twelve North Korean female ice hockey players arrived in South Korea last week and are practising with South Korean teammates for a unified team that will compete in the Olympics.

The South Korean skiers briefly practised among them­selves at the Masik ski resort on Wednesday, accor­ding to the pool report. The South Korean and North Korean skiers didn’t talk or ski together, although they later chanted “we are one” during a group photo. The skiers are scheduled to participate in joint training sessions and friendly competitions at the resort on Thursday.

“I feel a bit tense, but I think this will be a fun experience,” South Korean alpine skier Kim Hyun-soo said before departing for North Korea, according to the pool report.

“When else would I be able to visit North Korea?”

South Korea is preparing to host hundreds of North Koreans during the Olym­pics, including officials, athletes, artists, journalists and a 230-member cheering group.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2018