Team South Korea hoisted the national flag at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Asian Cup and Interclub Weightlifting Championship in North Korea on Thursday.

The Korea Weightlifting Federation in Seoul said Friday the South Korean team's flag bearer entered a Pyongyang stadium flying the Taegeukgi at the opening ceremony on Thursday.

This was the first time since the two Koreas were divided for the South Korean flag "Taegeukgi" to be flown at an official event in the communist state. 

The picket held by a North Korean female guide leading the South Korean team's entry clearly read, "Republic of Korea, KOR." 

South Korea has competed in sports events in North Korea several times before, but this is the first time for South Korean athletes to compete under the official name, Republic of Korea, and fly the Taegeukgi.

Until now, South Korea used KOC or Korean Olympic Committee for its country name and the Korean Unification flag instead. 

Ahead of the games, North Korea allowed the South to hoist its flag and play its anthem during award ceremonies, according to the practice observed at global sporting events.

For team South Korea, Kwon Ye-bin will be the first to compete in the junior 69 kilogram class event on Friday afternoon.