We begin with news from the Korean Peninsula as earlier today the DPRK and South Korea held their first formal talks for more than two years. The talks resulted in the DPRK agreeing to send athletes to February's Winter Olympics in South Korea, a symbolic breakthrough after months of escalating tensions over DPRK's advancing nuclear and missile programs.

Five senior officials from each side participated in the meeting held at the Peace House on the South Korean side of the Panmunjom truce village. South Korea's Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung cited the DPRK officials there as saying its delegation would include officials, athletes, cheerleaders and journalists. The event will be the first time DPRK has participated in the Winter Games in eight years. Chun says South Korea proposed the two Koreas conduct a joint march during the Game's opening and closing ceremonies. Only two athletes from DPRK qualified for the Winter Games, but the International Olympic Committee has said it remains flexible, and willing to consider wild-card entries for DPRK athletes.