When North Korean Olympic officials stated back in March that the country hopes to send “as many athletes as possible” to the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea next year, it became abundantly clear that the DPRK has a strong desire to both compete in, and make its mark on, Pyeongchang 2018.

With the Games being held in the South, just 50 miles from its own border, it should come as no surprise that the motivation for North Korea to make its presence felt is greater than usual.

And based on recent comments by Pyeongchang 2018 chief Lee Hee-beom, it