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Is Kim Jong-un attending the Winter Olympics 2018 Opening Ceremony in Pyeonchang TODAY?

North Korean leader has sent his sister Kim Jo Yong to be his representative in Pyeongchang for the Games

TENSIONS between North and South Korea have been escalating over the past year - but appearto have cooled in time for the Winter Olympics.

Kim Jong-un's missile tests and war of words with the United States has put the South on high alert, with the countries still technically at war since their 1953 armistice.

North Korean figure skaters Kim Ju-Sik and Ryom Tae-Ok
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North Korean figure skaters Kim Ju-Sik and Ryom Tae-OkCredit: AFP or licensors

But despite the tensions, the North have sent a team to compete in Pyeongchang - with a united Korean ice-hockey team leading the way for peace.

Is Kim Jong-un attending the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?

NORTH KOREAN leader Kim Jong-un will NOT be at the ceremony in Pyeongchang.

But in a rare move, he has sent his sister Kim Jo Yong in his place - who becomes the first member of the Kim family to travel to the South in over six decades.

Kim Jo Yong (L) is going to South Korea in place of her brother Kim Jong-un
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Kim Jo Yong (L) is going to South Korea in place of her brother Kim Jong-unCredit: EPA

Believed to be around 30 years old, Kim's sister will be part of a delegation led by Kim Yong Nam, North Korea's nominal head of state.

South Korean president Moon Jae In, who has shown a willingness to thaw frosty relations with the North, welcomed the decision.

Like many in the Kim family, very little is known about Kim Jo Yong, who has been steadily rising the ranks since 2014.

She has been steadily climbing the ranks in the party since 2014 and is believed to be around 30 years old
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She has been steadily climbing the ranks in the party since 2014 and is believed to be around 30 years oldCredit: AP:Associated Press

North Korea have 22 athletes competing in the Games, but none are considered to be realistic medal prospects.

The teams will march at the Opening Ceremony as one country, under a single unified Korea flag.

But aside from the competitors, the country is sending an 400-strong delegation over the border.

Among those will be a will be a team of cheerleaders, 30 taekwondo practitioners and a 140-strong orchestra, playing patriotic songs.

The cheer squad arrived in the South alongside 26 taekwondo performers, 21 journalists and four North Korean Olympics committee members
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The cheer squad arrived in the South alongside 26 taekwondo performers, 21 journalists and four North Korean Olympics committee membersCredit: AFP or licensors

When is the Opening Ceremony?

THE opening ceremony will take place on Friday, February 9. 

It will be held at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, a temporary venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies.

South Korea are nine hours ahead of the UK, so the show will begin at 11am UK time.

Which TV channel will it be on and can I live stream it?

YOU can watch everything unfold live on BBC 1 and BBC Iplayer.  

The coverage will start at 10.30am, whilst you can also catch the ceremony live on Eurosport 1 from the same time.

HERE KIM THE GIRLS!

Don’t miss a moment of the Olympic Winter Games on Eurosport and Eurosport Player. Go to 

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