China welcomes DPRK, ROK to improve ties via 2018 Winter Olympics

Photo shows Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang. [Photo: www.dfic.cn]

China supports the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the the Republic of Korea (ROK) to use the 2018 Winter Olympics to make efforts to improve ties, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

"We have noticed the positive information from the leaders of the two countries, and it is a good thing," spokesperson Geng Shuang said. "China welcomes and supports both countries to take the 2018 Winter Olympics as an opportunity to make effective efforts to improve their relations, relax the situation on the Korean Peninsula and promote the denuclearization of the peninsula."

As part of his New Year speech, DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un reportedly said Monday that Pyongyang was willing to talk with Seoul on its possible participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in the ROK in February.

ROK President Moon Jae-in has reportedly welcomed the DPRK leader's New Year speech, ordering government officials to rapidly restore inter-Korean talks and draw up follow-up measures to make it possible for the DPRK delegation to participate in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.