Though the globally watched meeting is the first time the two sides have talked in more than two years, the agreement to host these talks was reached within just one week. Let's look now at the recent positive developments between the two neighbours.

The two sides haven't held high-level talks since December 2015, despite repeated offers to meet by the South Korean government. But in his New Year message, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un sent an olive branch to Seoul.

KIM JONG UN DPRK SUPREME LEADER "We sincerely hope that the Winter Olympics will be a success. We are prepared to take various steps, including the dispatch of the delegation. Officials from the two sides may urgently meet to discuss the possibility."

The stance was welcomed right away by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

MOON JAE-IN SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT "The Unification Ministry and Culture and Tourism Ministry have to prepare a follow-up plan so that North-South dialogue can be quickly restored and that the North Korean delegation can participate in the Pyeongchang Olympic Games."

South Korea then proposed the two sides meet today at the DMZ village of Panmunjom to discuss Olympic cooperation. In response, the DPRK reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea. It also accepted South Korea's proposal for a meeting, hours after the United States and South Korea agreed to delay a joint military exercise. The two neighbours then exchanged their lists of five-member delegations and discussed the details for the high-level talks through the restored hotline. Today, the DPRK delegation walked over the military demarcation line to take part in the senior-level dialogue with the delegates from South Korea.