ROK sees visit by top DPRK leader's sister to Winter Olympics as meaningful

SEOUL – The Republic of Korea's presidential Blue House saw a visit by the sister of top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-un to the ROK-hosted Winter Olympics as meaningful to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Eui-kyeom, spokesman for ROK President Moon Jae-in, told a press briefing that the composition of the DPRK delegation showed its will to ease tensions on the peninsula while congratulating the winter sports event.

The DPRK notified the ROK earlier in the day of the list of its high-ranking delegation, which will be led by Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.

The delegation will make a three-day visit to the ROK from Friday to attend the opening ceremony of the 23rd Winter Olympics scheduled for Friday at ROK's eastern county of Pyeongchang.

Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of the top DPRK leader and the first vice director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), was included in the delegation.

The Blue House spokesman said Kim's visit will have a more significant meaning as she played an important role in the WPK as the first vice director while she is the top DPRK leader's younger sister.

Two other DPRK ranking delegates included Choe Hwi, chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, and Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland.