PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games: Spectacular opening

The Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang have begun. With the words "I declare the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang open", South Korea's President Moon Jae-in announced the start of the first World Winter Sports Festival in South Korea on Friday at 21.42 hrs local time. The Olympic flame was ignited by figure skating Olympic champion Kim Yu-na.

Pop music and a colorful lightshow accompanied the opening ceremony in front of 35,000 spectators and a billion audience worldwide in front of the TV.

The program had started at 20:01 local time. South and North Korean athletes entered under the same flag during the parade, after months of tension in the Korean peninsula. The emotional highlight was followed with massive applause.

The opening ceremony saw a historic encounter between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong. Both shook hands.