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(LEAD) N. Korean delegation in S. Korea to inspect concert venues

All News 10:12 January 21, 2018

(ATTN: UPDATES with details from 5th para; ADDS photo; CHANGES dateline)

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean delegation arrived in South Korea on Sunday to check the venues for its proposed art performances at next month's PyeongChang Winter Olympics, officials here said.

The seven-member team is led by Hyon Song-wol, head of the North's Samjiyon Orchestra, and known as one of the most influential women in the secretive communist nation.

Hyun also serves as director of the Moranbong Band, the country's well-known all-female musical group, reportedly created at the order of leader Kim Jong-un. There's a rumor that she is an ex-girlfriend of Kim.

The delegation crossed the land border via the Gyeongui Line for a two-day trip, becoming the first North Koreans to travel to the South since the launch of the Moon Jae-in administration in May last year.

It's also the first time that the inter-Korean route has been used since the shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex in early 2016.

Several South Korean officials greeted the North Koreans at the customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) office at Dorasan Station, just south of the border.

Buses carrying North Korean officials head to Seoul on Jan. 21, 2018. (Yonhap)

Buses carrying North Korean officials head to Seoul on Jan. 21, 2018. (Yonhap)

They will head to Gangneung, 260 kilometers east of Seoul, from the capital on a KTX bullet train later Sunday and return the following day.

The North Koreans plan to inspect the stage, audio system and other conditions for the upcoming performance, discussing its schedule and program.

In Gangneung, the North Koreans will likely tour the Gangneung Arts Center and visit another candidate site in Seoul.

The North has agreed to join the Olympics slated for Feb. 9-25 and the 10-day Paralympics that start on March 9, which will be staged in the South's eastern towns of PyeongChang and Gangneung.

It plans to send a 140-member art performance group, consisting of an orchestra, singers and dancers, for concerts in Seoul and Gangneung.

Hyon Song-wol, leader of North Korea's well-known art performance group, in a file photo (Yonhap)

Hyon Song-wol, leader of North Korea's well-known art performance group, in a file photo (Yonhap)

lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)

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