North and South Korea have agreed in principle to field a joint women's ice hockey team during next month's Olympics in South Korea, and have relayed their position to the International Olympic Committee.

A South Korean Sports Ministry spokesman confirmed Monday that the two sides had agreed, saying they have been discussing the make-up of a unified women's hockey team since last year.

The spokesman, Hwang Seong Un, said the matter would be discussed Saturday when officials from the two Koreas and the IOC meet at IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

A joint team would require IOC approval.

If realized, it would be the Koreas' first unified Olympic team.