S. Korea offers high-level talks with DPRK next week

APD NEWS

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South Korea on Tuesday proposed high-level talks with DPRK next week over its participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, in response to leader Kim Jong-un's reconciliatory New Year message the previous day.

Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon proposed that the two countries meet next Tuesday at the truce village of Panmunjom in the heavily fortified demilitarized zone.

In a New Year's speech on Monday, Kim said that Pyongyang is open to dialogue with Seoul, hinting at its willingness to take part in the Winter Games to be held in South Korea on Feb. 9-25.

South Korea's presidential office welcomed Kim's olive branch hours later, saying that Seoul is open to talks "any time, any place and in any format."

(YONHAP)