North Korea on Friday "secured its presence" at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics with figure skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-Sik "grabbing one of the last qualifying spots on offer" at the Nebelhorn Trophy, according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. The pair's Olympic qualification is seen as a "positive development amid an escalating crisis on the Korean peninsula and the potential complications this could have for the Games." North Korean speed skaters and Nordic skiers "could join the figure skaters with their own qualifiers coming up" (REUTERS, 9/29). The AFP reported the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games welcomed the "special" qualifying of figure skaters from the North, as Seoul "seeks to promote its isolated neighbour's participation as a key part" of the "Peace Games." The POCOG said, "We're really excited that North Korean athletes have qualified to compete at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. With North Korea's participation, the Games in PyeongChang will be the greatest celebration of sport and we welcome all athletes to share in this special moment with us" (AFP, 9/30).
