Photo: ATR1992/Wikimedia Commons shows PyeongChang Dravon Valley Ski Resort

The 2018 Winter Olympics began in PyeongChang with a rare display of unity between hosts South Korea and North Korea on Friday amid festering nuclear tensions and Seoul’s attempt to give peace a chance.

While countries have fielded their best talent at the gala, the opening ceremony exhibited a profound political statement – of hopeful presence of leaders from the two Koreas as well as tenuous nature of the truce.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attended the opening ceremony, where South Korean leader South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in delivered a rare message of hope for peace on the Peninsula in the presence of North Korea’s Kim Yo-jong, sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The two Koreas have fielded a joint team – something that was considered unthinkable until recently. But experts see the peace overture as tentative at best given a history of animosity developed over decades.

Washington has responded to North Korean provocations and threats including missile tests and nuclear posturing with sanctions and tough diplomacy in coordination with Japan, and other allies.

It was a rare sight that the American and North Korean leaders were seated in the same stand watching the opening ceremony. But there were no immediate statements from the U.S. side about any possible interaction with the North Korean officials.

Maame Biney, 17-year-old  in U.S. speedskating team Photo: Screenshot.NBC

The new South Korean leader, Moon Jae-in, who has initiated the outreach to its isolated neighbor, sounded hopeful with “a message of friendship from the people of Korea” as the world watched the opening of the games.

“The Seoul 1988 Summer Games paved the way for reconciliation between east and west – breaking down the wall of the Cold War. Thirty years after hosting the Summer Games, the Pyeongchang Olympics has commenced with a hope for peace from everyone around the world.

“It was with an ardent desire that the people of Korea aspired to host the Winter Games, the only divided nation in the world. It mirrors the Olympic spirit in its pursuit of peace.”

Russia has been barred from participation in the Games following a doping scandal as documented in the 2016 McLaren report.

The U.S. side is filled with hopeful players and known stars. Speedskating sensation Maame Biney is among seven black athletes representing the United States at the Games.