Amid a tense political stand-off over the North's nuclear and missile programmes, it had been unclear whether the country would have any competitors in Pyeongchang.
The two parties held talks on Tuesday in Panmunjom, in the Korean peninsula's demilitarised area, after which it was agreed North Korea would send a delegation to the Games, which begin on February 9.
In July last year, South Korea pledged to encourage their neighbours to participate, in a move encouraged by the IOC, which also welcomed the latest developments.
