Politics
13:05, 02-Jan-2018
Moon urges swift measures for DPRK's participation in PyeongChang Olympics
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in requested the prompt creation of measures for allowing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to participate in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, in response to DPRK leader Kim Jong Un's New Year address on Monday, in which he spoke of sending a delegation to the Olympics.
"I hope the Unification Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Sports will swiftly come up with follow-up measures to quickly restore South-North Korean dialogue and realize the North Korean (the DPRK) delegation's participation in the PyeongChang Olympics," South Korea's state-run Yonhap News Agency reported.
This is one of the rare times when Kim sent out an olive branch to South Korea, saying he was "open to dialogue" while calling for "peaceful resolution with our southern border." Moon welcomed the remarks, saying South Korea is ready to take various steps so that the two sides can meet immediately.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un delivering a New Year's speech, January 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un delivering a New Year's speech, January 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
Moon said he hopes to turn the PyeongChang Olympics into "a groundbreaking chance" to improve relations of the two sides and establish peace, per Blue House pool.
Moon also stressed the need to work closely with other allies and nations to improve the relationship between the two sides while resolving the DPRK's nuclear issue.
Jeong Yeung-tae, head of the Institute of DPRK Studies in Seoul, told Reuters he believes Moon's response shows a very "realistic, rational point of view".
"It also shows resolving North Korea’s (the DPRK) nuclear issue has a bigger priority [than improving inter-Korean relations]," Jeong said.
Moon said in September last year that the country was pushing to ensure the security of the Olympics. The DPRK’s participation will undoubtedly ensure the safety of the PyeongChang Olympics. Moon also proposed last month that Seoul and Washington postpone the large military drills, which the DPRK denounce as a rehearsal for war, until after the Games.
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