NY Times · Feb 13, 2018
For North Korean Skaters, the Short Program Is Part of a Bigger Plan
Ryom Tae-ok, front, and Kim Ju-sik during a practice session last week. The North Korean pair made the Olympics on merit.GANGNUENG, South Korea — There has been hope for a political thaw on this divided peninsula with a combined Korean team at the opening ceremony and in women’s hockey. There has been boundless intrigue about North Korea’s all-female cheering squad. And on Wednesday, there will finally be a much-anticipated performance by North Korea’s only elite athletes at the Winter Olympics.