Moon says S. Korea will keep doors to PyeongChang open for N. Korea until 'last minute'

SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday renewed his country's invitation for North Korea to the Winter Olympic Games to be held here early next year, saying the country will keep the doors open until the very last minute.

The remarks came at an event aimed at promoting the Winter Olympics to be held in the country's eastern PyeongChang county 200 days from Monday.

"I again urge North Korea's decision. We will not rush nor be pessimistic, but will keep the doors open until the very last moment," the president said.

Moon's renewed invitation for North Korea came exactly one month after his initial offer to form a single, unified team with the communist North in the upcoming Olympic Games.

Pyongyang has more or less remained silent over Moon's offer while it also continues to remain mum on Seoul's proposal to hold military and Red Cross dialogue.

The South Korean president insisted all that was left for North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang event was its own decision.

"The International Olympic Committee too has opened the doors for North Korea's participation, and now all that is left is North Korea's decision," he said, according to Cheong Wa Dae pool reports.

bdk@yna.co.kr
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