TURIN (Italy), Feb 11: Athletes from Cold War foes South and North Korea marched together in a show of unity at the opening ceremony of the 20th Winter Olympics on Friday.

South Korea speed skater Bora Lee joined with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s figure skater Han Jong-In as they entered the Stadio Olimpico for the ceremony.

The joint march was the first of its kind at a Winter Olympics.

In a symbolic display of unity reflecting recent years of rapprochment, athletes from the two Koreas marched together in the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 and in Athens in 2004.

North Korea stayed away from the last Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The Korean peninsula has been divided into the capitalist South and the communist North since 1948, and the two fought a war from 1950-53.

Ties between the two countries have warmed since a peace summit between their leaders in 2000.

In line with tradition, Greece were the first nation to appear in the stadium led by cross country skiier Fafalis Eleftherios with Lee and Han the leading the 22nd and 23rd of the 80 countries represented.

Italian figure skater Carolina Kostner led out the home nation, the last to show to a rapturous welcome.—AFP