South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon speaks at the Unification Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018. South Korea has requested North Korea to explain why it abruptly canceled plans to send a delegation over the weekend to prepare for a visit by an art troupe during next month's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. (Park Dong-joo/Yonhap via AP)
The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A North Korean delegation led by the head of a hugely popular girl band has arrived in South Korea to check preparations for a Northern art troupe during next month's Winter Olympics.
Seoul's Unification Ministry says the North Korean delegation crossed the borderline on Sunday inside the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone bisecting the two Koreas.
The North first abruptly canceled the visit this weekend, just hours after proposing it through a cross-border hotline, then late Saturday announced it would go ahead.
The delegation is led by Hyon Song Wol, head of the art troupe which is to perform twice in during the Pyoengchang Olympics. She is also the leader of Pyongyang's Moranbong Band, which was hand-picked by leader Kim Jong Un.
The Olympic rings with a sign of 2018 Pyeongchang Games is seen at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. The head of North Korea's most popular girl band is visiting South Korea this weekend to check preparations for a trip by another art troupe from the North. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2018, file photo, in this photo provided by South Korea Unification Ministry, the head of North Korean delegation Kwon Hyok Bong, center, and Hyon Song Wol, the head of the Moranbong Band, left, sit during the meeting with South Korea at the North side of Panmunjom in North Korea. The head of North Korea's most popular girl band is visiting South Korea this weekend to check preparations for a trip by another Northern art troupe led by her as part of Pyongyang's Olympic delegation, officials said Friday.(South Korea Unification Ministry via AP, File)
The Associated Press