The opening ceremony kicked off what will be the biggest Winter Olympic Games to date with more than 2,900 athletes from 92 countries competing. (Photo | AP)
The opening ceremony kicked off what will be the biggest Winter Olympic Games to date with more than 2,900 athletes from 92 countries competing. (Photo | AP)

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics 2018: Two Koreas march together as fireworks mark the beginning of biggest Winter Games ever

The opening ceremony kicked off what will be the biggest Winter Olympic Games to date with more than 2,900 athletes from 92 countries competing. 
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South Korean figure skating gold medalist Yuna Kim has ignited the Olympic cauldron for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in a chilly opening ceremony that highlighted Korean unity. (Photo | AP)
South Korean figure skating gold medalist Yuna Kim has ignited the Olympic cauldron for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in a chilly opening ceremony that highlighted Korean unity. (Photo | AP)
The games beginning Friday are taking place amid an international standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons. But Pyongyang's decision to send a high-level delegation including leader Kim Jong Un's sister to the Olympics has raised hopes in the South for rapprochement. (Photo | AP)
The games beginning Friday are taking place amid an international standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons. But Pyongyang's decision to send a high-level delegation including leader Kim Jong Un's sister to the Olympics has raised hopes in the South for rapprochement. (Photo | AP)
North Korea has sent nearly 500 people to the Pyeongchang Games, including officials, athletes, artists and cheerleaders, after the Koreas agreed to a series of conciliatory gestures to mark the games.In this image made from video, fireworks are seen over Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony. (Photo | AP)
North Korea has sent nearly 500 people to the Pyeongchang Games, including officials, athletes, artists and cheerleaders, after the Koreas agreed to a series of conciliatory gestures to mark the games.In this image made from video, fireworks are seen over Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony. (Photo | AP)
During the 2000s, the two countries' athletes marched together at the opening and closing ceremonies of several international sporting events, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The last time before Friday was at the Asian Winter Games in China in 2007. (Photo | AP)
During the 2000s, the two countries' athletes marched together at the opening and closing ceremonies of several international sporting events, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The last time before Friday was at the Asian Winter Games in China in 2007. (Photo | AP)
The countries are cooperating for a series of conciliatory measures, including having their athletes parade together for the first time in 11 years at the opening ceremony. The joyous group flew their flag, which was white with the blue Korean peninsula in the middle. IN PIC: North Korea's Hwang Chung Gum and South Korea's Won Yun-jong carries the flag during the opening ceremony (Photo | AP)
The countries are cooperating for a series of conciliatory measures, including having their athletes parade together for the first time in 11 years at the opening ceremony. The joyous group flew their flag, which was white with the blue Korean peninsula in the middle. IN PIC: North Korea's Hwang Chung Gum and South Korea's Won Yun-jong carries the flag during the opening ceremony (Photo | AP)
Yuna Kim won a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and a silver at the 2014 Sochi Games before retiring from competition. She remains perhaps the country's most popular sports personality and has worked as a goodwill ambassador to promote the Pyeongchang Games. IN PIC: South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim performs before lighting the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony (Photo | AP)
Yuna Kim won a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and a silver at the 2014 Sochi Games before retiring from competition. She remains perhaps the country's most popular sports personality and has worked as a goodwill ambassador to promote the Pyeongchang Games. IN PIC: South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim performs before lighting the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony (Photo | AP)
Fireworks lit up the sky over the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, where North Korea's all-female cheering squad were among the crowd, as the gala event started. (Photo | AP)
Fireworks lit up the sky over the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, where North Korea's all-female cheering squad were among the crowd, as the gala event started. (Photo | AP)
IOC president Thomas Bach says 'this is the moment that we have all been waiting for: The first Olympic games on snow and ice in the Republic of Korea.' He also thanked the North and South Korea delegations for working together and said the two countries send a 'powerful message of peace to the world.' (Photo | AP)
IOC president Thomas Bach says 'this is the moment that we have all been waiting for: The first Olympic games on snow and ice in the Republic of Korea.' He also thanked the North and South Korea delegations for working together and said the two countries send a 'powerful message of peace to the world.' (Photo | AP)
The two countries have also formed a joint women's hockey team, which consists of 23 South Koreans and 12 North Koreans. (Photo | AP)
The two countries have also formed a joint women's hockey team, which consists of 23 South Koreans and 12 North Koreans. (Photo | AP)

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