Politics
09:36, 09-Jan-2018
DPRK, ROK begin first high-level talks in two years
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) chief delegate has expressed hope that talks with the Republic of Korea (ROK) would lead to "precious results" as the two countries began their first high-level meeting since 2015.
The talks center on Pyongyang's possible participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month.
ROK delegation (R) and DPRK delegation meet at the Peace House in the truce village of Panmunjon, January 9, 2017. / VCG Photo
ROK delegation (R) and DPRK delegation meet at the Peace House in the truce village of Panmunjon, January 9, 2017. / VCG Photo
Five senior officials from each side began their meeting at 10:00 local time (01:00 GMT) at the Peace House in the truce village of Panmunjon.
The ROK Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Ri Son Gwon, head of the DPRK agency in charge of handling inter-Korean affairs, are leading their countries' delegates respectively.
Ahead of the high-profile meeting, Cho vowed to make PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics a "peace festival" and the "first step" to improve inter-Korean relations.