Rival Koreas will march under a unified flag at Olympic games

North-South merger follows years of conflict between rival factions

Korean fans waving "unification flags" as they cheer for North Korean players during the IIHF women's world ice hockey championships division II group A competition match between South Korea and NorthShow more

The two Koreas agreed on Wednesday to march together under a single flag at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

The rival factions will field a united women's ice hockey team for the Games in a further sign of easing tensions on the peninsula.

The agreements still require approval from the International Olympic Committee. But they are the most prominent steps toward rapprochement achieved by the Koreas since they recently began exploring cooperation.

The decision follows a year of heightened tension over the North's nuclear weapons program.

During their third day of talks at the border, senior officials reached a series of agreements including fielding a joint women's ice hockey team and marching together under a "unification flag" during the opening ceremony. The flag will depict their peninsula, Seoul's Unification Ministry said.

They will also conduct some activities in North Korea, including a joint cultural event at Mount Geumgang and training for skiers from both countries at the Masikryong ski resort on the east coast.

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