South Korean officials got a green light from the U.S. before flying to Pyongyang with DPRK national airline Air Koryo on Thursday, a diplomatic source familiar with the issue confirmed to NK News.

The South Koreans, serving as a preliminary inspection team for an upcoming inter-Korean cultural event in the DPRK capital, arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday from Beijing Capital International Airport.

The two Koreas on Tuesday agreed that a 160-member South Korean performing squad will stage two concerts in Pyongyang during a visit from March 31 to April 3.

South Korean officials and experts will stay at Pyongyang’s Koryo