Politics
17:10, 09-Feb-2018
ROK president greets DPRK's ceremonial head of state at Olympic reception
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Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in greeted Kim Yong Nam, the ceremonial head of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday, ahead of the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The brief meeting happened in Yongpyeong, a town located just east of PyeongChang. Moon and Kim shook hands before taking a photo together.
The ROK leader hosted a reception dinner for global leaders before the opening of the Games The dinner guests include Kim, US Vice President Mike Pence, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some 200 other people, reported Yonhap News Agency.
President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in and his wife greeted Kim Yong Nam, the ceremonial head of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Yongpyeong, ROK, Feb. 9, 2018. /VCG Photo
President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in and his wife greeted Kim Yong Nam, the ceremonial head of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Yongpyeong, ROK, Feb. 9, 2018. /VCG Photo
Pence, however, made only a brief appearance at the reception, avoiding a potentially awkward encounter with the DPRK official.
The DPRK's high-level delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics led by Kim arrived at the ROK's Incheon International Airport at 1:46 p.m. local time. The delegation also includes Kim Yo Jong, the sister of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.
She is the first member of the Kim family to visit South Korea since the Korean War. The DPRK officials are expected to attend the opening ceremony, which is set to open in just a few hours. Athletes from both the DPRK and ROK will walk into the stadium together under the unification flag.
Both Kim Yong Nam and Kim Yo Jong were expected to attend a Saturday meeting with Moon possibly at the presidential office Blue House in Seoul.