Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, Feb. 7

SEOUL -- Kim Yo Jong, the sister of top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un, will come to South Korea later this week to attend the South Korea-hosted Winter Olympics, Seoul's unification ministry said Wednesday.

The DPRK notified South Korea earlier in the day of the list of its high-ranking delegation, which will be led by Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. (S.Korea-DPRK-Delegation)

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KATHMANDU -- Election for Nepal's National Assembly, also known as the Upper House of the Federal Parliament, was underway in six of seven provinces in Nepal since Wednesday morning.

According to the Election Commission of Nepal, 52 candidates from different political parties are vying for the 32 seats in Province 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The voting which started at 10:00 a.m. local time will continue till 3:00 p.m. local time. (Nepal-Election)

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SEOUL -- A cheering squad of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) crossed the inter-Korean land border to South Korea Wednesday for the 23rd Winter Olympics set to kick off later this week, Seoul's unification ministry said.

The 280-member DPRK delegation, including 229 cheerleaders, crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) dividing the two countries at about 9:26 a.m. local time (0026 GMT). (DPRK-Cheering Squad)

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MALE -- The Maldivian Supreme Court late on Tuesday rescinded its landmark ruling issued last week ordering the release of nine opposition leaders including self exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed.

A statement from the President's Office said the government welcomed the court's revision.

The new order was signed by the three remaining judges of the Supreme Court. (Maldives-Supreme Court) Enditem