Moon: Door to 2018 Winter Olympics still open to DPRK

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday that the invitation for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang still stands.

Moon, who took office in May, said during a 200-day-countdown event for next year's Games that, "We don't need to hurriedly expect or be pessimistic about (the DPRK's participation). And, we will leave the door open until the very last minute."

Moon Jae-in on Monday participated an event aimed at promoting the Winter Olympics to be held in the country's eastern PyeongChang county. /VCG Photo

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also opened the doors for the DPRK's participation," Moon said.

The IOC said earlier this month that it was trying to find ways for DPRK athletes to participate.

Moon also said that with Japan and China holding the Games in 2020 and 2022 respectively, he hopes the Olympics will provide opportunities towards the peace process on the Korean Peninsular.

Last month, Moon suggested forming a unified team with the DPRK, however the offer was declined by Pyongyang due to the current political climate.

Pyongyang didn't respond to an offer from Seoul to hold a bilateral meeting last week at the truce village of Panmunjom, in what would have been the first inter-Korean military talks in almost three years.

Pyongyang silent as ROK urges DPRK to accept dialogue offer