The North Korean cultural group that's set to stage performances in the South as part of a series of events to celebrate the Winter Olympics... will arrive in the South by ferry later today.
Ji Myung-kil has the details.

On Tuesday, the leader of the Samjiyon Orchestra,... Hyon Song-wol will lead the rest of the 140 member art troupe into South Korea by ship, using the eastern coastal route.

"The North is using the Mangyongbong 92 ferry to come to South Korea. They will be using it not just as a means of transportation but also as accommodation for the art troupe during the concert period in Gangneung."

Seoul's unification ministry spokesperson also said the North's ferry trip to the South will be exempt from South Korea's 2010 sanctions which ban North Korean ships from docking in South Korean ports.

"When it comes to U.N. sanctions, we will closely consult with the international community including the U.S. in order to ensure the move doesn't violate sanctions."

The 2010 sanctions imposed by Seoul on Pyongyang are to punish the North for its sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March of that year.
An expert on North Korea said the Mangyongbong ferry entering a South Korean port will not be a problem since Seoul's government has considered it an exemption to make the PyeongChang Games a success.

"The North's Mangyongbong ferry will be used as accommodation during the PyeongChang Olympics. We should approach it in a humanitarian manner. It won't be a problem to get understanding from the UN or U.S."

In preparation for the North's cultural events, a twenty-three member advance team arrived in the South using the western land route on Monday morning.
The twenty-three members arrived in advance to prepare for the concerts that will be held this Thursday in the Olympic host city of Gangneung, and in Seoul this coming Sunday.
The group brought musical instruments and other equipment necessary for the performances.
Ji Myung-kil, Arirang News.