North Korea’s only member of the International Olympic Committee(IOC), Chang Ung, said on Friday that he will discuss a plan to form a unified Korean team during the Pyeongchang Olympics with other IOC members.  

Chang made the remark as he arrived in the Gimpo International Airport on Friday along with other members of the North Korean delegation to the World Taekwondo Championships to open in Muju in North Jeolla Province on Saturday.   

Asked by reporters whether the North has an intention to field a unified women’s ice hockey team with the South for the Pyeongchang Games, Chang said he is not in the position to speak for the North Korean government, noting he has visited the South as an IOC representative from the North.

Chang said, however, he will attend discussion on the issue at the IOC level, adding IOC President Thomas Bach will soon visit South Korea to attend the closing ceremony of the World Taekwondo Championships slated for Friday of next week.

He also said he can relay Seoul’s wish for the creation of a unified team to the North Korean government, indicating that he may play a bridge role between the governments of the two Koreas concerning the issue.  

South Korean Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan said on Tuesday that he will discuss with the IOC to push for the fielding of a unified women’s ice hockey team at the Pyeongchang Games.

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