Pyeongchang: South Korea and North Korea will march separately at the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics.

Unlike last month's Winter Olympics in the mountain resort town of Pyeongchang, which will be remembered for the two Koreas marching side by side in a show of unity, representatives of the two national Paralympic committees decided not to march under the same conditions.

Discussions between the committees described as "amicable and positive" were held in the Paralympic Village on Thursday.

“Although we are disappointed, we respect the decision of the two NPCs who decided that marching separately would be better for both parties," said Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee.

"The IOC made great progress in opening up dialogue between the two nations ahead of last month’s Olympic Winter Games and I think having North Korea participate in Pyeongchang 2018 is a great step forward for the Paralympic movement.