Seoul, Pyongyang begin high-level talks

Seoul, Jan 9 : South Korea and North Korea began their first high-level formal talks after more than two years on Tuesday to discuss Pyongyang’s potential participation in next month’s Winter Olympics and ways to improve their long-stalled bilateral ties.

The talks started at 10 a.m. at the truce village of Panmunjom, a heavily fortified border area in South Korea’s North Hwanghae province, reports Yonhap News Agency.

“I came here with hopes that the two Koreas hold talks with a sincere and faithful attitude to give precious results to the Korean people who harbour high expectations for this meeting, as the first new year present,” Ri Son-gwon, North Korea’s chief delegate, said.

He is the chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, North Korea’s state agency handling affairs with the South.

“These talks started after long-frayed inter-Korean ties,” said Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, South Korea’s chief negotiator, in response.

“Well begun is half done. I hope that (the two sides) could hold the talks with determination and persistence.”

The meeting comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un extended a rare rapprochement to Seoul in his New Year’s Day message.

He expressed a willingness to send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and said the country was open for dialogue.

IANS