ATR First: North Korean Olympic Chief Hopes for 'Peaceful Olympics'

(ATR) North Korean chef de mission Kil U Won says he hopes PyeongChang 2018 will be "a peaceful Olympics".

Won spoke with Around the Rings on the sidelines of the 2018 IOC Session in PyeongChang.

So far, apart from North Korean IOC member Ung Chang, members of the North Korean delegation have largely avoided talking to the media. Media intrigue in the North Korean delegation has remained high since their arrival in South Korea a few days ago.

"The athletes are coming here and I hope that this will be a peaceful Olympics," Won said. "It is not just the South Korean side, but the North Korean side as well."

Won said that it is true that the event is very important, for the Korean peninsula as a whole.

North Korea is in the process of sending an art-troupe, taekwondo demonstration team, and cheerleading squad to South Korea for performances during the Games. Titular head of state Yong Nam Kim will also make a state-visit to the PyeongChang 2018 opening ceremony. Kim will be the highest ranking North Korean government official to travel to South Korea.

In PyeongChang, North Korea has 22 athletes who will compete and 25 accredited officials. The athletes will participate in five disciplines of three sports. Only two of the 22 athletes had qualified for the Games before a decision was taken in Lausanne last month to finalize the North Korean delegation. The two athletes, a pair of figure skaters, have had their training sessions well attended by the media.

While North Korea has won numerous medals in the Summer Olympics, it is unlikely any athletes will reach the podium in PyeongChang. Still, Won says that is not going to stop the athletes from trying.

"A gold [medal] is most important, beautiful one for the athletes," Won said. "They will try their best."

Written by Aaron Bauer in PyeongChang

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