THE head of a popular North Korean girl band crossed the heavily fortified border into South Korea yesterday to check preparations for an art troupe she also leads during next month’s Winter Olympics.

Appearing on South Korean television, Hyon Song Wol did not speak when she walked past a crowd of reporters and onlookers before boarding an express train at Seoul’s railway station for the eastern city of Gangneung, where her art troupe is to perform during the Pyeongchang Olympics.

She is also the leader of Pyongyang’s all-female Moranbong Band, which was hand-picked by leader Kim Jong Un.

She has been the subject of South Korean media attention since she attended last week’s talks at the border that struck an agreement on the art troupe’s two performances — one in Seoul and the other in Gangneung, where some of the games will take place.

TV stations broadcasted footage of Hyon’s bus moving on Seoul’s roads before arriving at the railway station, where police officers were mobilised to maintain order.

Photos showed a smiling Hyon shaking heads with a South Korean official upon arrival at the border. Hyon’s arrival came hours after the International Olympic Committee allowed 22 North Korean athletes to take part in the Olympics.