North Korea to send 22 athletes to Winter Olympics, IOC confirms

IOC President Thomas Bach said the North Koreans will compete in five sports disciplines, including a unified women's hockey team

The North Korean Winter Olympics delegation will include 24 coaches and officials (Getty)

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that 22 North Korean athletes will compete in the Pyeongchang Olympics next month and both Korean teams will march together in the opening ceremony.

IOC President Thomas Bach said the North Koreans will compete in five sports disciplines, including a unified women's hockey team.

The others are figure skating, short track speed skating, Alpine skiing and cross-country skiing.

The North Korean Winter Olympics delegation will include 24 coaches and officials.

Bach offered "sincere thanks to the governments of North and South Korea."

The agreement became possible after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said three weeks ago that a team could cross the border to compete.

Bach did not take questions and was flanked by Olympic and government officials from both countries at a brief news conference.

AP