South Korean Olympic officials have expressed relief after a North Korean figure skating pair became the country's first athletes to qualify for the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
North Korea won its first berth to the Pyeongchang Games next February (9-25) after figure skaters Ryom Tae Ok and Kim Ju Sik finished sixth in the pairs contest at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany on Friday.
Tension has been rising recently due to North Korea's nuclear test and multiple missile launches that has also triggered an escalating war of words between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.
South Korea all along has been hoping North Korea takes part in the Games and on Saturday Olympic organising officials say they're quietly hoping the news has wider ramifications.
Sung Baikyou of the Pyeongchang 2018s committee said the achievement by North Korean skaters could make it easier to persuade the North to participate.
"It widens the room for more talks regarding North Korea's potential Olympic participation, including inviting its organised cheering groups," Sung said, referring to state-sponsored supporters Pyongyang frequently sends to international events.
It's still uncertain whether North Korea will allow the qualified skaters to compete in Pyeongchang, a ski resort town just 80km south of the heavily-armed inter-Korean border.
North Korea boycotted the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea's capital Seoul.
Ryom and Kim were seen as the country's best chance to qualify for Pyeongchang.
Some North Korean short-track speed skaters may also have an outside shot at qualifying in the coming weeks, Sung said.
Pyeongchang's organisers and the IOC are also discussing granting special entries for North Korean athletes in certain sports so more of them can participate.
The IOC is trying to calm concern about the Pyeongchang Games, but France has said its Olympic team will not travel to South Korea if its safety cannot be guaranteed.
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