2018 Winter Olympics: North Korea’s first musical performance in South Korea in 12 years

As North Koreans arrived in South Korea ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, one particular group stood out from among the delegation.

The Samjiyon Orchestra, a musical ensemble that consists of 137 vocalists and musicians, showcased the Winter Olympics with a highly choreographed performance, in the city of Gangneung, on Thursday – ahead of Friday’s official opening ceremony.

The orchestra wrapped up its 90-minute performance before an audience of 812 people, and will give its second and final performance, which is scheduled for Saturday in Seoul.

Here we take a look at the Samjiyon Orchestra's first performance in South Korea since 2002

Members of the Samjiyon Orchestra travelled to South Korea by ship on Tuesday. There, they were met by groups of conservative protesters, who shouted slurs at the art troupe from the docks below.

The orchestra is part of a larger art troupe that includes the much-hyped Moranbong Band, a pop-music band comprising women selected by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The bilateral negotiations that took place before the orchestra's performance hit several snags. In late January, North Korea abruptly cancelled a joint cultural performance that would have included performances from both countries. 

The country attributed its decision to South Korea’s “insulting” media coverage.

Free tickets were available though a lottery system to South Koreans and foreigners. After 150,000 South Koreans applied for 1,060 available tickets for the two shows, the government increased the number of seats.