ROK hails DPRK Olympics move as helpful to talks
SEOUL — The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s dispatch of a high-ranking delegation to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in the Republic of Korea will help maintain the “dialogue mood” in talks over the Korean Peninsula, Seoul’s unification ministry said on Friday.
The DPRK notified the ROK of its plan to send an Olympic delegation, led by Kim Yong-chol, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics slated for Sunday.
The delegation, including Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, will make a three-day visit starting on Sunday.
The ROK ministry said the DPRK delegation’s participation in the closing ceremony will advance the process of making peace on the peninsula, including improved inter-Korean ties and denuclearization.
The ministry said in a separate statement on Friday that the participation will bring an opportunity for talks to make peace on the peninsula and enhance inter-Korean relations as Vice-Chairman Kim doubles as director of the United Front Department in charge of inter-Korean ties.
The statement noted that Kim is a responsible figure with whom Seoul can talk about improving inter-Korean ties and denuclearization.
Kim was a chief DPRK negotiator when the country’s military authorities met in October 2014 in the truce village of Panmunjom to discuss ways to defuse tension between the two sides, according to the statement.
However, the United States is due to announce its largest package of sanctions yet against the DPRK to further pressure it over its nuclear and missile program as the ROK readies itself for more talks with DPRK officials.
Tougher sanctions may jeopardize the latest detente between the two neighbors amid their preparations to create conditions appropriate to holding a summit between DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un and ROK President Moon Jae-in.
‘Largest package’
A senior US administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called the new penalties “the largest package of new sanctions against the North Korea regime”, without giving details.
US Vice-President Mike Pence had hinted at such a plan two weeks ago during a stop in Tokyo that preceded his visit to the ROK for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Kim Jong-un said he wants to boost the “warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue” with Seoul after a high-level delegation including his sister returned from the Winter Games.
Last year, Pyongyang conducted dozens of missile launches and its sixth and largest nuclear test in defiance of UN sanctions.
The new US sanctions will be announced while Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, is visiting the ROK to attend a dinner with Moon and the closing ceremony of the Games.
In addition to the dinner, which will feature a Jewish kosher menu for Ivanka’s dietary restrictions, the Blue House has planned a small traditional Korean music performance for her delegation.