South Korea to Pay $2.6 Million for North Korea’s Olympic Expenses

North Korean cheering squads arrive at the Korean transit office near the Demilitarized Zone on Feb. 7, 2018, in Paju, South Korea. Ahn Young-joon/Pool/Getty Images

South Korea has approved a plan to pay for the costs of hosting the North Korean delegation to the Winter Olympics.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the South and North Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council signed off on a record $2.85 billion won (US$2.64 million) to pay for the visiting costs of the 424-strong North Korean contingent consisting of a cheering squad, orchestra, taekwondo performers, journalists, and other supporting personnel.