The Unification Ministry says there has been movement suggesting that North Korea is preparing to participate in the PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games.
 
A ministry official told reporters on Tuesday that nothing has been decided on whether North Korea will take part in next year's Paralympics, but there has been some movement to prepare for the games in the reclusive state.
 
The official did not elaborate, only saying that overseas training by the North has been spotted. The official stressed that there is a need to confirm whether or not such activity is off-season training.
 
The official said the North could use the Olympics as a chance to change its ties with South Korea and the South, on its part, believes that the North’s participation will provide a good opportunity to improve inter-Korean relations.
 
Earlier in May, Pyongyang submitted an unofficial letter of intent to participate in the PyeongChang Paralympics to the International Paralympic Committee. However, the North has not taken any further steps for official participation since then.