In accordance with standard practice in the North, Ri wore a badge on his left lapel bearing an image of the country’s founding father Kim Il-Sung and his son and successor Kim Jong-Il. It also called for Red Cross talks and military discussions to prevent “accidental clashes.”“Let’s present the people with a precious new year’s gift,” said the North’s Ri. “The people have a strong desire to see the North and South move toward peace and reconciliation,” he added. Seoul has been keen to proclaim the Games in Pyeongchang, just 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the DMZ, a “peace Olympics” but it needs Pyongyang to attend to make the description meaningful. Kim indicated in his New Year’s speech that the North could take part in the Games and Seoul responded with an offer of high-level dialogue.

Source: Manila Times January 09, 2018 14:03 UTC