The International Olympic Committee(IOC) has announced that it extended the deadline for the registration of North Korean athletes for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. 

An IOC spokesman said in a statement on Monday that the committee’s mission is always to ensure the participation of all qualified athletes, beyond all political tensions and divisions.

The spokesman said that the IOC has been having discussions with both sides for a long time in relation to the North's participation in the Olympics and has kept the door open by extending the deadline for registration.

The IOC also said that it will offer support to North Korean athletes in the qualification process, while always respecting UN sanctions.