In a sign of warming ties, the opening of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics saw a grinning South Korean President Moon Jae In shaking hands with smiling North Korean « princess » Kim Yo Jong, as athletes from both countries marched together under a reunification flag in sub-zero temperatures..
In a sign of warming ties, the opening of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics saw a grinning South Korean President Moon Jae In shaking hands with smiling North Korean « princess » Kim Yo Jong, as athletes from both countries marched together under a reunification flag in sub-zero temperatures.
The event will be watched closely for hints of change in North Korea’s nuclear stance, and if the reclusive regime is willing to return to negotiations after raising tensions with rampant missile and nuclear tests over the past two years.
World leaders including United States Vice-President Mike Pence, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attended the opening extravaganza held at the 35,000-seat Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium yesterday. Chinese envoy Han Zheng was also present, alongside North Korea’s ceremonial leader Kim Yong Nam.
While Pyongyang has made it clear that it is not « begging » for talks with the US, analysts are still waiting to see if Ms Kim, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, will bring a direct message from her brother.
Ms Kim, believed to be 30, is the first in the ruling Kim family to set foot in South Korea since the two countries were separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
