SEOUL • South Korea approved yesterday the use of a record 2.86 billion won (S$3.5 million) to bankroll the cost of hosting hundreds of visiting North Koreans during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics..
SEOUL • South Korea approved yesterday the use of a record 2.86 billion won (S$3.5 million) to bankroll the cost of hosting hundreds of visiting North Koreans during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
The Ministry of Unification said the funds will pay for the costs, including accommodation and food, for North Korea’s cheering squad, orchestra, taekwondo performers, journalists and other supporting personnel who had visited or are still in South Korea. Combined, they make up a group of 424 North Koreans.
South Korean President Moon Jae In had invited North Korean athletes, supporters and officials to the Olympics in an attempt to lower months of tension between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington over the North’s nuclear and missile programmes.
A final number for the total payment of all the North Koreans who visited during the Olympics will be disclosed at a later time, said ministry spokesman Baik Tae Hyun.
Costs for hosting the high-level official delegation, which included Ms Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, were paid for separately from the government budget, Mr Baik added, without disclosing details.
