N Korea Leader Hails Warmth with South

North Korea’s leader has called for

a “further livening up” of the “warm climate of reconciliation” with the

South created by the Winter Olympics.

Kim Jong-un, whose nuclear bomb and missile tests have stoked

international tension, praised the South for hosting his state at the

games in Pyeongchang.

Kim’s apparent Games charm offensive was led by his sister Kim

Yo-jong.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has meanwhile said the US

is open to talking with the North.

He did not elaborate and may have been referring to a remark

by US Vice-President Mike Pence on his flight back to Washington

from the Games.

While the North’s attendance at the Games has been seen as

marking a major warming in relations, there have also been concerns

that it has allowed it to win a propaganda victory.

He thanked the South for “specially prioritising” the North’s

attendance at the Games, North Korean state news agency KCNA

reports.

He also gave “important instructions” on how to “liven up” the

“warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue”.

Ms Kim and Mr Kim Yong-nam made up the most senior

delegation from the North to visit the South since the Korean War in the

1950s.

The two states have never signed a peace treaty and are in a

constant state of mutual distrust.

Last Saturday, Ms Kim handed over a letter from her brother to

President Moon, inviting him to visit Pyongyang. If the summit goes

ahead, it will be the first meeting in more than a decade between

Korean leaders.

Ms Kim’s appearance at the Games has been widely criticised,

as she is on a US sanctions list over alleged links to human rights

abuses in North Korea.

She headed the North’s delegation and has now returned home,

the BBC reported.

Source: Oman News Agency