Moon: Olympics a chance to promote peace with DPRK

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The president of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in said on Friday that the resumed dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may have not come in the first place but for the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, reported Yonhap News Agency.

"Today, many heads of state and leaders of the world are here in this place. Right now, I realize how meaningful and fortunate it is to have such a sports event in a world where confrontation and conflict also exist," Moon said in a speech delivered at a special reception dinner for the visiting global leaders.

"The most important fact is that we are here together. The fact that we are here together will mark the precious start of our first step toward global peace," Moon told the reception that involved around 200 people.

ROK President Moon Jae-in (2nd R) makes a toast with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (2nd L) during their meeting in Gangneung on Feb. 9, 2018, ahead of the opening ceremony for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. /VCG Photo

"In just few hours from now, the winter of PyeongChang will come brightly to life. With the opening ceremony, friendship and peace begin. I wish future generations will remember this day and record this day as a special day of the Winter Olympic Games when peace began," he added.

The ROK leader hosted a reception dinner for global leaders before the opening of the Games. The dinner guests include Kim Yong Nam, the ceremonial head of the DPRK, US Vice President Mike Pence, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some 200 other people.

Pence, however, made only a brief appearance at the reception, avoiding a potentially awkward encounter with the DPRK official.