"We were informed at 7:50 a.m. that the two planes that were to depart from Sun-an Airport in Pyongyang at 8 a.m. were grounded due to technical problems," said Park Sang-ha of the organizing committee for the games. The North made no further comments on what the technical problems were, he added.

Accordingly, welcoming receptions for the North Korean athletes were canceled. Other programs that were scheduled for the North Korean team will also be affected.

A total of 218 persons, led by the team captain Jeon Geuk-man and member of the International Olympic Committee Jang Woong were supposed to arrive at Busan's Kimhae Airport. It is unclear whether the team will reschedule their flight for Monday. Plans for the cheering squad, originally scheduled to arrive on Monday, are also unknown. (Park Won-su, wspark@chosun.com )