Winter Olympics a peninsula turning point?

THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA may send a delegation to take part in the Winter Olympics in the Republic of Korea next month, and the two sides are preparing for talks on Tuesday represents a widely hoped for thawing of the deadlock on the peninsula. Beijing News commented on Sunday:

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has taken a turn for the better after DPRK leader Kim Jung-on said on Jan 1 the DPRK may send a delegation to the winter sports event being hosted by the Republic of Korea, which has resulted in the two sides agreeing to talks that will be staged on Tuesday.

Although Pyongyang has not disclosed the list of those who will attend the talks, Seoul has decided to send a five-person ministerial-level delegation, showing it is attaching great importance to the meeting.