Olympics offers a rare thaw in relations between Koreas
SOUTH KOREA yesterday proposed talks with North Korea over the participation of athletes at the forthcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.
In what would be the first government-level discussions between the two Koreas in more than two years, the South, which will host the Winter Olympics, suggested a meeting next week in the demilitarised zone on the border.
The proposal was announced in response to comments by Kim Jongun, the North Korean leader, in his New Year address.
“We sincerely hope that the Winter Games will be a success,” Mr Kim said in his televised speech on Monday. “We are willing to take various steps, including the dispatch of the delegation.”
Pyongyang had previously ignored all efforts by the South to confirm that it would be sending athletes to the Games, which run for 14 days from Feb 9.
Although the proposals could lead to the first formal dialogue in two years, media and political analysts have warned the South Korean government to remain wary of Pyongyang’s motivation for agreeing to talks.
A report by the Institute for National State Security has said Seoul’s delegation at the talks is likely to be told that North Korea will only consent to taking part in the Games if the South unilaterally lifts sanctions on the North, resumes cross-border economic projects and provides financial assistance. Pyongyang could also demand that the South halt all military drills with US forces and that Washington withdraws units from the Korean Peninsula. In an editorial the South Korean Korea Herald said: “The South also must not ... lower its guard to prevent it from playing into the North’s hands.”
In response, US president Donald Trump withdrew from his typically hardline position, tweeting: “Sanctions and ‘other’ pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea... Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not – we will see!”
However, Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, last night said she had received reports that Pyongyang may be preparing another missile test.