SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korea on Monday welcomed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s dispatch of its high-ranking delegation to the South Korea-hosted Winter Olympics set to kick off later this week.

Baik Tae-hyun, Seoul's unification ministry spokesman, told a press briefing that the government hailed the visit by the DPRK's high-ranking delegation to South Korea, saying it will provide necessary accommodations and guarantee security during their stay.

The DPRK notified South Korea Sunday night of its decision to send the delegation, led by Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, from Friday to Sunday.

The DPRK delegation will include three delegates and 18 supporting officials. Who will be the three delegates was not known yet.

The 23rd Winter Olympics will start from Friday at South Korea's eastern county of PyeongChang.

Baik said the South Korean government will prepare to let the DPRK delegation attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics as well as other competitions and events, while preparing to make it possible for high-ranking officials from the two Koreas to hold talks.