Why did North Korea send its Olympic squad to Winter Olympics in South Korea even after creating a war hysteria?

The leading theory about why North Korea participated in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea is the Kim Jong Un wanted to create propaganda which would indicate he’s not a monster and to improve his country’s image as “a peace-loving nation, the victim of relentless international aggression.” And, he wanted to send a message that his country is cultured and thriving despite sanctions.

This seems like a skeptical interpretations of Kim Jong Un’s intentions. But who really knows? It’s also interesting to note that North Korea didn’t just send 22 athletes to the Winter Olympics. They also sent a team of cheerleaders, 30 taekwondo practitioners, reporters, and a 140-member orchestra. This contingent numbering around 400 people was all lea by North Korea’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam. Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong.