By Baek Byung-yeul
The North Korean women’s ice hockey team arrived in Jincheon, where the National Training Center for South Korean athletes is located, Thursday.
Comprised of 15 members -- 12 players, a head coach and two assistants -- the North Korean team arrived in South Korea to take part in the Feb. 9-25 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Also, an eight-member advance team led by Yun Yong-bok, a senior official at North Korea’s sports ministry, arrived in the South for a three-day visit to inspect the competition venues of PyeongChang.
The two Koreas agreed recently to field a joint team in the women’s ice hockey event for the PyeongChang Olympics. The two Koreas will also march together under a Korean Peninsula flag at the opening ceremony on Feb. 9.
After arriving at South Korea’s Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) office in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, at 9:29 a.m., the North Korean ice hockey team headed to Jincheon, 90 kilometers south of Seoul, by bus and arrived at the National Training Center at 12:30 p.m.
Upon arriving at the training center, South Korean hockey players and officials greeted them with a brief welcoming ceremony, presenting floral bouquets.
“I am glad the two Koreas could become one. If we join forces together in a short time, I hope there will be good results,” said Park Chul-ho, head coach of the North Korean ice hockey team.
When asked if they set a goal at the PyeongChang Olympics, Park said they will do their best, adding “no team wants to lose.”
Lee Jae-geun, head of the training center, also delivered a welcome message, saying the training center is dedicated to supporting the North Korean team.
The unified team wrapped up the welcoming event with a photo session. While posing for photos, players and officials shouted the slogan: “We are one.” In the evening, there will be a “welcome orientation” for the unified team.
The unified team will begin their joint training session next week after the South Korean team’s head coach Sarah Murray evaluates the performance of the North Korea players this week.
Led by Murray, the unified team will have a friendly match with Sweden in Incheon, Feb. 4. After the friendly, the team will then move to Gangneung, where the Olympic ice hockey event will be held.
The unified team is paired with Switzerland, Sweden and Japan in Group B. The team is scheduled to play its first Group B match with Switzerland on Feb. 10, Sweden on Feb. 12 and Japan on Feb. 14. Murray will have to include at least three players from North Korea in her game roster of 22 players.