By Kim Young Deok and Kim Young Shin

The two Koreas have agreed that a North Korean performance troupe will be dispatched to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Lee Woosung, South Korea's deputy minister for culture and art policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Kwon Hyok Bong, North Korea’s director of the performing arts bureau at its culture ministry, held talks at the Tongilgak building in the Panmunjom truce village on Jan. 15 and adopted a joint press release.

According to the press release, North Korea will send the 140-member Samjiyon Orchestra to perform in Gangneung and Seoul. Also, the North will dispatch inspectors in advance to check practical matters, including the venue, stage conditions, equipment and oversee the installation of equipment that will be necessary for the performance by the North Korean artists.

Moreover, a joint support group was started on Jan. 16 that will assist the North Korean performance troupe during its time at the Winter Games.

The group, consisting of relevant organizations, such as the South Korean Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the PyeongChang Organizing Committee, will aid in overall tasks, including negotiations between ministries, organizing events for the North Korean performers and the promotion of the concerts.

kyd1991@korea.kr