Cheong Wa Dae hails outcome of inter-Korean dialogue on Olympics
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday welcomed the outcome of inter-Korean dialogue over North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, calling it a chance to reduce tension between the divided Koreas.
The remarks came one day after the two Koreas agreed to form a joint women's hockey team for the upcoming event to be held in South Korea's PyeongChang from Feb. 9-25.
In their third bilateral talks in just over a week, Seoul and Pyongyang also agreed to have their athletes and officials march together under a symbolic flag of a unified Korea at the opening ceremony.
"We believe the agreements are the result of the best efforts from both sides," a ranking Cheong Wa Dae official said, while speaking on condition of anonymity. "We highly evaluate the outcome."
President Moon Jae-in (L) claps his hands while speaking with a group of short track speed skaters during his visit to the national training center in Jincheon, 90 kilometers south of Seoul, on Jan. 17, 2018. (Yonhap)
On Wednesday, President Moon Jae-in said the North's participation in the Olympics will not only help promote the event but also provide a chance to improve the ties between the two Koreas, which he earlier said may also lead to the resumption of dialogue on ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
The inter-Korean dialogue, the first of its kind in over two years, began last week following a series of invitations from the South Korean leader for the North to take part in the first Winter Olympic Games to be held in the country. Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988, which was boycotted by the North.
Some, however, remain cautious over North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang event, saying it may help the North's communist regime avoid the brunt of international sanctions.
The Cheong Wa Dae official dismissed such criticism, insisting Seoul will have more to gain than to lose from the North's participation.
"North Korea's participation may help ensure the success and safety of the PyeongChang Olympic Games," he said. "And as the president has pointed out, it may also lead to a chance to begin talks on improving the South-North relationship, as well as those aimed at denuclearizing the North."
bdk@yna.co.kr
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