NORTH and South Korea have agreed in principle to field a joint women’s ice hockey team during next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea.

The two countries have relayed their position to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The head of South Korean delegation Lee Woo-sung and the head of North Korean delegation Kwon Hook Bong discussed the move yesterday.

A South Korean sports ministry spokesman confirmed the two sides had reached an agreement over the games in Pyeongchang, saying they have been discussing the make-up of a unified women’s hockey team since last year.

The spokesman, Hwang Seong Un, said the matter would be discussed further on Saturday when officials from the two Koreas and the IOC meet at IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

A joint team would require IOC approval.

If the move gets the green light, this would be the first unified Korean Olympic team.

Another South Korea official said that the two countries would parade under a joint “unification flag” during the opening ceremony at the Games if they end up conducting

a joint march.