South Korea’s Olympic plans are shipshape if North Korea decides to cruise into Winter Games
Hosts have been preparing for delegation from their neighbours and are willing to use the floating hotel concept employed for Asian Games in Busan in 2002
Host South Korea is well prepared should North Korea decide to take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, with a cruise ship ready to transport and accommodate its athletes, organisers said on Wednesday.
Lee Hee-beom, head of the 2018 Olympic organising committee, said they had long been preparing for the North’s attendance at what he described the “largest-ever winter festival in history”.
“The International Olympic Committee has also said several times that it would support North Korea’s participation,” Lee said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a New Year speech his country wished success for the Olympics, to be held from February 9-25, and would consider sending a delegation.
Kim also announced the reopening of a hotline with the South to discuss attending the Olympics, as a “significant first step” in improving ties.