BEIJING: North Korea’s International Olympic Committee representative says his country is likely to compete in figure skating in next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea, according to Japanese media reports.
Chang Ung reportedly told waiting media at the Beijing airport that the participation of a North Korean figure skating pair will probably happen.
Citing unnamed sources, Japan’s Kyodo News service and broadcaster NHK said Mr Chang was headed to Switzerland, where he could meet with IOC officials.
Figure skating pair Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-Sik are the only North Korean athletes who have qualified.
The duo won North Korea’s first medal — a bronze — at the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, last February.
Asked if other North Korean athletes would compete at Pyeongchang, Mr Chang only said that time would tell.
Footage on NHK showed Mr Chang pushing a luggage cart in Beijing airport and talking briefly to media.
North Korean officials typically fly abroad through Beijing.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered during a New Year’s Day speech to send a delegation to the Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
It was not clear whether that meant athletes or just officials.
North and South Korea have agreed to discuss cooperation on the Olympics, as well as other issues, in rare talks at the border due to start on Tuesday.
They come just one month before the February 9 opening ceremony for the Winter Games.
