PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — After keeping South Korea in suspense, an advance team of North Korean officials, including a well-known singer, arrived in the South a day later than scheduled to prepare for cultural performances during the Winter Olympics next month, South Korean officials said on Sunday.

The visit across the land border came hours after the International Olympic Committee approved 22 North Korean athletes to take part in the Games and confirmed that the two countries would march together during the Feb. 9 opening ceremony. The efforts to ensure that North Korea takes part in the Games are part of moves to lessen tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The past year has been marked by aggressive rhetoric not just from Pyongyang, which has drawn criticism for its nuclear and missile tests, but also from Washington, where President Trump has threatened military action to pressure the North.

Pyongyang had initially said it would follow up on its agreement to participate in the Olympics by sending a seven-member team to inspect concert halls where a North Korean arts troupe is scheduled to perform. Seoul agreed to the visit, which was to take place on Saturday, but the North abruptly canceled it without saying why.

Given the lack of an explanation, and the North Korean government’s general opaqueness and unpredictability, there was much speculation in South Korea about what the cancellation meant. Some suggested that the move might even cast doubt on the North’s participation in the Olympics, which will be held in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.