North Korean technicians cross into South for Olympics prep

PYEONGCHANG, Korea, Republic Of – South Korea says a 23-member advance team of North Koreans has arrived in South Korea to prepare for the North’s participation in the Pyeongchang Games.

The South’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean issues, says the North Korean team is mostly made up of technicians. The South’s Yonhap news agency says they came with sound, lighting and other systems.

The North Koreans’ participation is part of a series of conciliatory measures the war-separated rivals took for the Pyeongchang Games. South Korea sees the Olympics as an opportunity to revive meaningful communication with North Korea following an extended period of animosity and diplomatic stalemate over the North’s nuclear program.

The Olympics begin Friday.

North Korea plans to send hundreds to the games, including athletes, officials, artists and a 230-member cheering group.