In the last days, much is being discussed as to whether North Korea will participate in the Olympics in PyeongChang (South Korea). As it is known, the pair Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik won an Olympic quota but their country did not apply for them on time and the International Skating Union gave the right to participate in the first reserve – Japan. Because of the many news of the week, the ISU released an official announcement:
„The ISU noted and welcomes the discussions currently taking place between the governments of the Republic of Korea (KOR) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) also involving a possible participation of PRK Skaters in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
The ISU confirms that the PRK competitors in Pair Skating (Figure Skating) had met all the necessary technical requirements to participate in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. However, the PRK National Olympic Committee (NOC) has not confirmed the participation of the Pair within the set deadline and the available quota place has consequently been transferred to the next NOC in line (Japan). In the case of a formal PRK NOC request for a late entry, the matter would have to be referred to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a final decision relating to the late entry as well as the increase of participants in the 2018 Olympic Pair Skating competition.“
