The DPRK says one of its most senior officials will attend the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympics. Kim Yong Nam is president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. He will head a high-level delegation that will be at the Winter Games curtain raiser. Seoul has welcomed Pyongyang's plan to send its nominal head of state, and says the move shows a sincerity in working to improve inter-Korean relations.

KIM EUI-KYEOM, SPOKESPERSON PRESIDENTIAL BLUE HOUSE "This is Kim Yong Nam's first visit to South Korea, and Kim is the highest-ranking official the DPRK has sent. We believe it reflects the DPRK's determination to improve the South-North relationship and make the Olympic Games successful, and that the DPRK has shown sincere and earnest efforts toward such an end."