A North Korean delegation has arrived in South Korea for a landmark visit to inspect cultural venues for next month`s Winter Olympics.
It is headed by Hyon Song-wol, leader of the popular Moranbong girl band and a big celebrity in the secretive state.
North Korea agreed to send a delegation to the games after the first high-level bilateral talks in two years.
The decision is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough after months of tension over its nuclear weapons programme.
Local media showed the North Korean delegates crossing the heavily-fortified border on a bus before arriving in the South Korean capital, Seoul.
Surrounded by hundreds of police officers, they then boarded a train to the eastern city of Gangneung.
The two-day visit is expected to be the first of several to prepare for Pyongyang`s participation in the games.
It is the first visit by Pyongyang officials to the South for four years, reports say.
The delegation will include athletes, officials and a group of cheerleaders.
Ms Hyon is also the leader of the 140-member Samjiyon art troupe chosen to visit the South.
It is due to give two performances - one in Seoul and another in Gangneung - during the Olympics.
Another team will visit the South this week to check logistics for North Korean athletes, while Seoul will send its own officials to the North`s ski resort to inspect the venue.
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