Seoul footing record tab for North Korea at Olympics Seoul footing

How much was it worth to Seoul for hundreds of North Koreans to attend the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics? Try USD 2.5 million.
According to South Korea's Unification Ministry, that's the record amount the nation has allotted to pay the bills of more than 400 North Koreans at the Winter Games. Only 22 of those people were athletes.
The Norths performers -- a 140-member orchestra with vocalists and dancers, an all-female 229-member cheering squad and a demonstration Taekwondo team -- have been a major attraction at and around the games.
That's because their presence itself is seen as a sign of eased tensions after a rough year and because of the exotic appeal they have due to the general isolation of their country.