The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    BTS stars shine brighter as solo artists

  • 3

    N. Korea holds politburo meeting to discuss Kim-Putin summit: KCNA

  • 5

    30 people purchased 8,000 homes: data

  • 7

    Rowoon leaves SF9 to focus on acting career

  • 9

    Korea urged to adopt China exit strategy amid hegemonic war

  • 11

    INTERVIEWPutin uses summit with NK leader to stop Seoul from helping Ukraine: expert

  • 13

    Netflix's 'Song of the Bandits' blends western action with Korean period series

  • 15

    Unfreezing of funds not likely to restore Korea-Iran ties

  • 17

    Merck emphasizes digitalization in semiconductor market

  • 19

    BTS defies K-pop's 'seven-year curse'

  • 2

    '30 Days' promises laughter, unlikely romance

  • 4

    North Korean escapees tell how nuclear tests ruined their health, hometown

  • 6

    ITZY's Lia takes break to put mental health first

  • 8

    USFK soldier, 2 women arrested for drug trafficking

  • 10

    Seventeen to drop 11th EP next month

  • 12

    Foreign ministry asks Japan to investigate case of Korean poisoned with bleach in Tokyo

  • 14

    Lamborghini driver suspect sent to prosecutors over parking dispute in Gangnam

  • 16

    Seoul plans to build Jamsil Sports MICE Complex

  • 18

    Invasion of 'smart' albums

  • 20

    National Assembly passes motion to arrest DPK chief

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, September 22, 2023 | 15:20
Politics
Moon to meet with North Korea's No.2 man during Olympics
Posted : 2018-02-05 15:51
Updated : 2018-02-06 13:52
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in is considering having bilateral talks with North Korea's Kim Yong-nam who will lead a high-profile delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, according to Cheong Wa Dae, Monday.

The meeting, if it takes place, could speed up the thawing of inter-Korean relations which is a result of the North's participation in the Games. Moon is also expected to try to encourage Washington-Pyongyang talks, as he will also meet with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence who is leading his country's Olympic delegation.

Cheong Wa Dae welcomed the attendance of Kim, the president of the Supreme People's Assembly, the nominal head of North Korea according to its Constitution.

"It is Kim's first visit to South Korea, and he is the highest-ranking North Korean official ever to visit the South," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. "His visit shows North Korea's wishes to improve inter-Korean relations and for a successful Olympics. We recognize the North is showing a serious and sincere attitude."

The spokesman said the government is preparing for various communication opportunities including high-level talks. "The North announced Kim's visit only last night, so working-level officials are now arranging who will be his counterpart and what they will discuss," he said.

During his three-day stay in the South from Friday to Sunday, Moon and Kim may have more than one chance to encounter each other ― Kim is expected to attend the opening ceremony in PyeongChang, Friday, a game of the North-South joint women's ice hockey team in Gangneung, Saturday, and a cultural performance by a North Korean art troupe in Seoul, Sunday. Moon, who will attend the opening ceremony, may consider taking part in the other two events as well.

Besides such short encounters, it is expected the two will have a one-on-one, summit-level meeting, either at Cheong Wa Dae or another place yet to be determined.

Political pundits say the talks with Kim will be like "indirect talks" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and he will deliver Moon's message to the leader. The President is forecast to express his strong intention to improve inter-Korean relations and urge the North to open dialogue with the U.S. for denuclearization.

Another Cheong Wa Dae official said the fact that North Korea's constitutional head is coming sends a message not only to the South but also to other countries.

Pundits also said Kim's coming may signal North Korea's intention to have talks with the U.S., to meet with the same ranking counterpart ― the U.S. vice president.

However, despite Seoul's efforts to create the mood for Washington-Pyongyang talks, it is unclear whether Kim will meet Pence. "It is not something the government can comment on; it is something the U.S. and North Korean governments will decide," the spokesman said.

Pence and the U.S. government have shown a hard-line stance toward Pyongyang.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that during talks between Pence and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slated for Wednesday in Tokyo ahead of the Olympics, the two will issue a joint statement reaffirming they will maintain "maximum pressure" on the North to push it toward dialogue for denuclearization.

The newspaper said the statement is aimed at showing the two countries' stance that they will not concede until the North opts for denuclearization, although it is now presenting a peace offensive along with the Olympics.

In the meantime, top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the U.S. ― Lee Do-hoon and Joseph Yun ― reviewed the security situation around the Korean Peninsula and discussed how to expand the ongoing inter-Korean talks into Washington-Pyongyang discussions.


Emailrahnita@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
Top 10 Stories
130 people purchased 8,000 homes: data 30 people purchased 8,000 homes: data
2National Assembly passes motion to arrest DPK chiefNational Assembly passes motion to arrest DPK chief
3Gender equality minister nominee in hot seat over remarks on abortion Gender equality minister nominee in hot seat over remarks on abortion
4Seoul invites ambassadors to introduce new halal foods in Korea Seoul invites ambassadors to introduce new halal foods in Korea
5S. Korea condemns Russia, seeks to mend ties with China S. Korea condemns Russia, seeks to mend ties with China
6Honey-dipped cookie to represent 'K-desserts' at global food expo in Germany Honey-dipped cookie to represent 'K-desserts' at global food expo in Germany
7KG Mobility seeks breakthrough in Europe KG Mobility seeks breakthrough in Europe
8COVID-19 deaths hit record high in Korea for 2022 COVID-19 deaths hit record high in Korea for 2022
9Shilla hotel in Da Nang recognized at World Travel Awards Shilla hotel in Da Nang recognized at World Travel Awards
10Kim Jong-un's rejection of Russia's food assistance irritates North Korean defectors Kim Jong-un's rejection of Russia's food assistance irritates North Korean defectors
Top 5 Entertainment News
1BTS defies K-pop's 'seven-year curse' BTS defies K-pop's 'seven-year curse'
2Aespa's VR concert to hit theaters Oct. 25 Aespa's VR concert to hit theaters Oct. 25
3Gang Dong-won becomes exorcist con artist in 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' Gang Dong-won becomes exorcist con artist in 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman'
4[INTERVIEW] Virtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels INTERVIEWVirtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels
5Hebrew University students travel to Korea to explore musical landscape Hebrew University students travel to Korea to explore musical landscape
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group