The Dutch skating association KNSB is to work together with its South Korean counterpart in an effort to ‘take skating further as a sport’.

The two skating associations aim to exchange expertise and experience in the run up to the 2018 Winter Olympics in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

KNSB director Paul Sanders told broadcaster Nos one of the aims of the alliance is to make skating more attractive to major Korean sponsors such as Samsung and Hyundai.

The Netherlands dominated the distance speed skating events at the Sochi Winter Olympics, winning 23 medals, including eight gold. This led to comments about the narrow appeal of the sport. South Korea is strong in short track events.

The agreement was signed in the presence of king Willem-Alexander and queen Maxima who are on an official visit to South Korea, along with a Dutch trade mission.