A South Korean delegation has left for North Korea to inspect the venues for a joint cultural event and joint training of the two Koreas' ski athletes ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. 

The 12-member team crossed the inter-Korean transit office on the Donghae Line at the eastern border at around 9:30 a.m. for a three-day trip to the North.

It is the first time for South Korean government officials to visit North Korea since the inter-Korean Gaeseong Industrial Complex was shut down in February 2016.  

Led by Lee Joo-tae, director-general for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation at the Ministry of Unification, the South Korean team will visit the Mount Geumgang resort area and inspect a concert hall and other facilities at the resort. 

Some of the delegation members will then visit Masikryong Ski Resort and inspect accommodation for South Korean athletes who will train there. 

The delegation will also visit the Kalma International Airport in the eastern port city of Wonsan to see if South Korean athletes could use the airport. 

The South Korean officials plan to return home at around 6 p.m. Thursday via the Donghae Line transit office.