North Korea to South Korean Winter Olympics?

This South Korean TV video says about itself:

31 December 2017

We start with some potentially big news out of North Korea.

Leader Kim Jong-il has confirmed that he is willing to send athletes to the Winter Olympics to be held next month in South Korea, and he emphasized the need to improve relations between Seoul and Pyongyang. … Our Ji Myung-kil has more.

In his new year’s address on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his government is willing to send a delegation to the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics to be held in South Korea. And he gave his best wishes for the Games.

(Korean) “The PyeongChang Winter Olympics will be a good opportunity to show the Korean peoples’ prestige. We sincerely hope for the event to be held successfully.” The young leader said this year was significant for both countries since the South will be holding the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the North will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the North Korean regime’s establishment. Kim also called for joint efforts to ease military tensions and to foster an environment of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

From daily The Morning Star in Britain:

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

North Korea: Kim Jong Un hints at participation in South Korean Winter Olympics

NORTH KOREAN dynastic leader Kim Jong Un proffered an olive branch to South Korea today, saying he was “open to dialogue” and floating the possibility of sending a winter Olympic games team there.

“When it comes to North-South relations, we should lower the military tensions on the Korean peninsula to create a peaceful environment. Both the North and the South should make efforts,” he said.

“North Korea’s participation in the winter games will be a good opportunity to showcase national pride and we wish success to the games. Officials from the two Koreas may meet urgently to discuss the possibility,” Mr Kim added.

A South Korean presidential spokesman welcomed his offer to send a delegation to the Pyeongchang games.

“We have always stated our willingness to talk with North Korea any time and anywhere if that would help restore inter-Korean relations and lead to peace on the Korean peninsula,” he declared. “We hope the two Koreas will sit down and find a solution to lower tensions.”

Pyeongchang organising committee president Lee Hee Beom also welcomed Pyongyang’s position, pledging to “discuss relevant matters with the South Korean government as well as the International Olympic Committee.”

South Korean President Moon Jae In has said that North Korea’s participation will ensure safety for the Pyeongchang games. He proposed last month that Seoul and Washington postpone until after the Olympics this year’s provocative annual war games, which the North denounces as a rehearsal for invasion.

Pope Francis prints pictures of Nagasaki atomic bomb victims in warning over ‘fruit of war’. Image taken by US Marine photographer in 1945 shows young boy carrying dead brother to be cremated: here.

America’s UN ambassador dismisses proposed North-South Korea talks. Nikki Haley distances US from Seoul’s plan to hold cross-border talks: here.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TWEETED THAT HIS NUCLEAR BUTTON WAS ‘BIGGER’ IN RESPONSE TO KIM JONG UN The president added that “my Button works!” in the tweet, which was swiftly condemned. Meanwhile, the North Korean leader reopened a long-closed border hotline with South Korea. [HuffPost]