Anchor: The International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship, which doubles a test event for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, opened in Gangneung, Gangwon Province on Sunday. South Korean supporters cheered loudly for North Korea, which took part in the tournament. The North's participation has raised hopes that it will compete in the Olympics next year.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report: [Sound bite: International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship  North Korea vs Australia / Apr. 2]
 
South Korean supporters cheered enthusiastically after North Korea's Kim Un-hyang scored the opening goal.
 
Cheering for the North continued although Australia defeated the North two-one.
 
[Sound bite: Yoon Gun - supporter from Bansong-dong, Busan (Korean)]
"They must have practiced really hard. It was moving to see them play so well."
 
Some two-thousand spectators were on hand for the opening game of the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship Division II Group A at Gangneung Hockey Center in Gangwon Province, on the east coast of South Korea, on Sunday.
 
Members of civic groups, such as the South Korean Committee for the Joint Implementation of the June 15 Summit Declaration, came out in droves to cheer for the North Korean team.
 
[Sound bite: We are one! (Korean)]
 
Speaking to KBS at the tournament, Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon was hopeful that the North would participate in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next year.
 
[Sound bite: Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon (Korean)]
"I briefly met the North Korean delegation. I asked if they would come for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and they promised to come."
 
The two Koreas will square off on Thursday at the tournament, which features six nations.
 
The North's participation is expected to lead to greater interest in the Olympics in South Korea, which has been overshadowed by a political scandal.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.