The bicycle was used to symbolise peace between the two nations as the two wheels rely on each other to move forward. The flame brings with it a message of hope and peace for the future. The bicycles were all fitted with special torch holders so they could ride easily with the flame.

The bikes carried the flame over 122km starting at Paju’s inter-Korean transit office and travelling to Goseong Unification Observatory, the final destination for this section of the relay. At the demilitarised zone (DMZ), soldiers on the front line were given the chance to be torchbearers, supported by the cyclists.

Along the route of peace, the flame travelled to an ice rink on the frozen Imjin River in Yulgok Wetland Park, where people commemorated a Canadian soldier who came to Korea with the UN Peacekeeping Force during the Korean war and wrote in his will that he hoped to survive the war and go back to play ice hockey on the river. 

Lee Hee-beom, President of the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee, said: “The message of peace that has been carried with the torch in these seven northernmost cities has touched the hearts of many. We hope that the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will spread that message of peace around the world in the coming weeks.” The opening ceremony will take place on February 9 and the Winter Olympics will run to February 25.