North Korea revealed it will send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea next month – including athletes, high-ranking officials and a cheering squad.
The news came as Pyongyng held the first formal talks with South Korea in more than two years amid dratsically strained relations.
The talks are being closely watched by world leaders eager for any sign of a reduction in tensions on the Korean peninsula amid rising fears over North Korea’s missile launches and development of nuclear weapons in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
As North Korea and South Korea meetings continue, Express.co.uk brings you the latest news, updates and pictures from the talks LIVE.
11.30am: North Korea’s proposed entry to South Korea’s Winter Olympics could see Seoul to cave in to Pyongyang with concessions
South Korea previously banned several North Korean officials from entering the country in response to Pyongyang’s ramped-up missile and nuclear tests, conducted despite international pressure.
However, some South Korean officials have said they see the Olympics as a possible opportunity for easing tensions.
Foreign ministry spokesman Roh Kyu-deok said Seoul would consider whether it needed to take “prior steps” to help the North Koreans visit for the Olympics – including lifting some sanctions temporarily to facilitate the visit.
9.50am: North Korea has completed technical maintenance needed to reopen a military hotline with South Korea
ASouth Korean government official told reporters normal communications via the hotline is expected to resume on Wednesday.
North Korean officials holding talks with South Korean officials at the truce village of Panmunjom on Tuesday informed their South Korean counterparts before midday, Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung added.