The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend the Winter Olympics in South Korea, making her the first member of the North’s ruling family to travel to the South in more than six decades.
The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend the Winter Olympics in South Korea, making her the first member of the North’s ruling family to travel to the South in more than six decades.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Kim Yo Jong, who is believed to be around 30 years old, will join the North Korean delegation in Pyeongchang when the Winter Games open this week.
The delegation will be led by Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s nominal head of state.
A member of the Kim family has not traveled to South Korea since the Korean War ended in 1953.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has signaled a willingness to thaw long-frosty relations with the North, welcomed the decision to send Kim Yo Jong, according to the AP.
Seoul has indicated that it sees North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics as an opportunity to de-escalate tensions that have soared over the past year amid advancements in the North’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
