IOC hopeful Korea will compete as one in Beijing

The IOC said yesterday it was pleased with the progress made by North and South Korea on the prospect of having a joint team for the 2008 Beijing Games.

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is delighted to learn from the Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Korean Olympic Committee that they have held productive discussions on the creation of a joint team for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games," a statement said.

"It is encouraging to see sport and the Olympic ideals serving to facilitate the creation of a unified team, and the IOC will continue to support the two NOCs in their ongoing efforts and commitment to achieve this historic goal."

The IOC said the next steps included the endorsement of a joint team by the two respective governments.

The two nations have marched together at recent Olympic opening ceremonies but competed separately, while earlier this month officials said both sides had reached an agreement to jointly back the 2014 Winter Games bid of South Korean city Pyeongchang.