The Democratic People's Republic of Korea plans to compete in Women's Ice Hockey in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, a senior official from the country said in Nagano Sunday.
Chang Ung, secretary general of the DPRK Olympic committee, said the country may also bring in figure skaters in the future, and its officials want them to compete in Asian meets first.
"Our Ice Hockey players, the ladies, are very good," Chang said, "but unfortunately before the qualifying tournament in Canada they didn't have enough experience. Next time we will see."
In the Nagano Games, opening February 7, the republic has entered 10 athletes, including three males, to compete only in Speed Skating and Short-Track Speed Skating.
"Of course," Chang said, the country will participate in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.