An advance team has departed for North Korea to prepare for planned performances in Pyongyang by a South Korean art troupe.

About 70 technicians left for Pyongyang at 10:30 a.m. Thursday aboard two chartered flights from Gimpo Airport via a direct route over the Yellow Sea. The technicians will install stage equipment at the venues where the performances will take place. 

A 160-member South Korean art troupe will hold a performance at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater on Sunday. A joint performance with North Korea is scheduled for Tuesday at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium. 

South Korean performers will include veteran singer Cho Yong-pil, girl group Red Velvet and K-pop singer Seohyun. They will be accompanied by some 30 taekwondo athletes, reporters and government officials.