Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
World
Al Jazeera News

North Korea's Kim invites S Korean leader to Pyongyang

North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo-jong, is in South Korea for the Winter Olympics [Yonhap/AFP]

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has extended a rare invitation to South Korea's President Moon Jae-in to visit Pyongyang.

Kim Eui-kyeom, South Korean president's spokesman, said at a news conference in Seoul on Saturday that the North Korean delegation delievered the invitation letter at a landmark high-level meeting at the presidential palace in Seoul.

The delegation, which includes Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, is in South Korea for the Winter Olympics. 

"Chairman Kim Jong Un's envoy Kim Yo-jong delivered a letter expressing a willingness to improve relations," the presidential spokesman said.

"She also delivered a message from Kim Jong-un that he is willing to meet President Moon Jae-in in the near future and that he hopes President Moon visits the North at a convenient time."

The president responded by saying that the two sides should work on establishing the right conditions to realise the meeting, according to the spokesman.

Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from the South Korean city of Gangneung, said the meeting would be famous in history.

"Moon is saying that although he is keen to reboot inter-Korean relations, the dialogue between the United States and the North is essential. And he is encouraging both sides to come together."

The North Korean delegation arrived in the South on Kim's private plane on Friday via Incheon international airport to attend the opening ceremony of the Pyongchang Winter Olympics where Seoul and Pyongyang are represented by joint teams.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.