BIG REVOLUTION? Kim Jong-un sent a conciliatory message, South Korea immediately proposed an important meeting

In the first days of the New Year there was an unexpected turn in the relations of the two Koreas. The North Korean dictator, CNN writes, said in a traditional annual message to the New Year that he wants a "peaceful solution with his neighbors in the south". In a televised address, Kim Jong-un added that he wants to "start as soon as possible" the negotiations on the participation of their athletes at the Winter Olympics.

The answer was from South Korea. The president of this country, Moon Jae-in, welcomed that part of the speech of a North Korean colleague. Moreover, he called for urgent measures to help North Korea participate in the Winter Olympics, which will be held in South Korea in February.

Moon said this is considered to be the time to finally make a big step forward in the relations between the two countries that, recall, are still formally in the war, although the cease-fire has lasted for more than half a century.

The South Korean president has also announced concrete steps. Government officials, including part of the government in charge of relations with North Korea, sport and culture, will take all measures to "ensure the participation of the North Korean delegation in the Olympic Games."

A concrete meeting was also proposed on Tuesday morning. Cho Myoung-gyon, a South Korean minister in charge of relations with North Korea, suggested that a high-level delegation meeting be held on January 9 in the border village of Panmunya in the heart of the demilitarized zone.

"The government proposes a high-level meeting between the two Koreas and their governments due to the fact that the Winter Olympics are only a month away and that issues related to this topic, such as the participation of the North Korean delegation on games," said Cho.

Whether the meeting will come, it is not yet known. The North Korean response is awaiting, but all should be known at the earliest in a matter of days. The Winter Olympics in Pyongyang begin on February 9th.

• 2 Jan, 2018
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