NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HEADS TO THE KOREAN PENINSULA IN THE FIRST DAYS OF THE 2018 PYEONGCHANG GAMES FOR AN HOUR-LONG SPECIAL FEATURING LIVE COMMENTARY FROM RENOWNED CORRESPONDENT AND HOST BOB WOODRUFF

Special to Explore North Korea's Storied Diplomatic Legacy Through the Lens of the Olympic Games

Inside North Korea: Live from the Games Will Premiere on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 9/8c on National Geographic

(Washington, D.C. -Feb. 7, 2018) - Combining live, pre-taped, and archival footage, with insights from leading dignitaries and noted experts, National Geographic will take viewers into North Korea's saga of global tensions and politicking, viewed through its controversial Olympic legacy. An installment of the network's popular series Inside North Korea, the special will be hosted by ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, who, in his ninth trip to the region, will put the headlines into context and explore how the Olympic Games have long been a proxy for battlefields on the Korean Peninsula.

With the 2018 Pyeongchang Games happening a mere 50 miles from the Demilitarized Zone, Inside North Korea: Live from the Games puts the escalating tensions between North Korea, the U.S. and its allies into perspective, exploring the relationship between geopolitics and international sporting events like the Olympics. North Korea boycotted the 1988 Summer Olympic Games held in Seoul, South Korea, and shocked the world with their intent to participate in the 2018 Games. While the world's greatest athletes compete in Pyeongchang - National Geographic will explore the parallel concerns captivating our attention, the political intrigue, nuclear threats, and delicate balancing act on the Korean Peninsula that has the international community on edge.

"As a fan of National Geographic and its commitment to bold, unexpected programming, I'm looking forward to reporting from Pyeongchang," says Woodruff. "North Korea's participation in the Games, and its recent show of unity with South Korea, is a significant moment in the history of the region, I'm eager to help put it all in perspective."

"With the world watching the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and North and South Korea planning to unite under one flag, it is an ideal time to bring viewers into the broader legacy of North Korea's relationship with the Olympic Games," says National Geographic's President, Original Programming & Production, Tim Pastore. "National Geographic is a trusted source for a story like this and it reflects our extensive commitment to developing timely, important programing, much like our outstanding new documentary series Chain of Command, an intimate portrait of the war against violent extremism."

Inside North Korea: Live from the Games is produced by Lincoln Square Productions for National Geographic. Jeanmarie Condon, Ben Newman, Tim Pastore, Kevin Tao Mohs and Betsy Forhan are executive producers.

For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or our press site at www.natgeotvpressroom.com, and follow us on Twitter using @NGC_PR.

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About Lincoln Square Productions

ABC News' Lincoln Square Productions produces original content for broadcast, cable and digital distribution specializing in compelling ways to tell fact-based stories, including ABC's "What Would You Do?, "In An Instant," John Ridley's critically-acclaimed documentary on the LA Riots "Let It Fall," the "Madoff" miniseries starring Richard Dreyfuss and the "Oscars(R) Opening Ceremony: Live From the Red Carpet," Investigation Discovery's "Barbara Walters Presents," as well as documentary programming for a wide array of partners, including PBS, Discovery Communications and A & E Networks. Lincoln Square Productions is wholly-owned by the American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. The headquarters are located in New York City's Lincoln Square neighborhood.

About National Geographic Partners LLC

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic's media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children's media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 130 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers ... and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.