South Korea to tackle tensions in talks with North

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL

South Korea will discuss "ways to ease military tensions" with the North when the two sides meet this week for their first official talks in more than two years, according to Seoul's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon.

Cho will lead a five-member South Korean delegation at the border dialogue slated for Tuesday.

Pyongyang will be represented by Ri Son-gwon, who leads the reclusive state's agency overseeing inter-Korean ties.

The plan came about after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un diverted from nuclear weapon threats on New Year's Day to offer to take part in next month's Winter Olympics in the South.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho told reporters the two sides will focus on the Olympics. He added South Korea "will make efforts to enable the North to take part in the Games."

However, he also admitted he will use this opportunity to raise other important issues such as inter-Korean tensions and reuniting family members separated by a tense border that has been heavily guarded and closed to most civilians since the 1950-53 Korean War.

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL

Cho will lead a five-member South Korean delegation at the border dialogue slated for Tuesday.

Pyongyang will be represented by Ri Son-gwon, who leads the reclusive state's agency overseeing inter-Korean ties.

The plan came about after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un diverted from nuclear weapon threats on New Year's Day to offer to take part in next month's Winter Olympics in the South.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho told reporters the two sides will focus on the Olympics. He added South Korea "will make efforts to enable the North to take part in the Games."