Ice between Koreas thaws over Winter Olympics

North agrees to send delegation to Winter Olympics to be held in South, reopen military hotline

South Korea's unification minister Cho Myung-Gyun (R) shakes hands with North Korean chief delegate Ri Son-Gwon at the meeting between their countries, which happened for the first time in two years. Pic/AFP

The rival Koreas took steps toward reducing their bitter animosity during rare talks yesterday, as North Korea agreed to send a delegation to next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea and reopen a military hotline. The meeting, the first of its kind in about two years, was arranged after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made an abrupt push for improved ties with South Korea.

During the talks, the North Korean delegation said it would send an Olympic delegation, including officials, athletes, cheerleaders, journalists and others, said South Korean Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae sung. The International Olympic Committee said on Monday it has "kept the door open" for North Korea to take part in the games. Chun, one of five South Korean negotiators, said the South proposed that North Korea send a big delegation and march with South Korean athletes during the February 9-25 games' opening and closing ceremonies.

He said South Korea also suggested resuming temporary reunions of families separated by war and offered military talks designed to reduce animosities in front-line areas. South Korea also stressed the need to achieve denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, Chun said. North Korea responded by saying the two Koreas must try to promote peace and reconciliation through dialogue, he said.

Only aimed at US
The discussion of North Korea's nuclear programme and its weapons arsenal would negatively impact inter-Korean ties, a North Korean official said on Tuesday, while finishing up talks with the South. "North Korea's weapons are only aimed at the United States, not our brethren, China or Russia," said Ri Son Gwon, head of North Korea's delegation. Ri added that Pyongyang's nuclear programme was not an issue between North and South Korea.

Feb 9
Day the Winter Olympics begin in South Korea

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