South Korean President Moon Jae In said on Monday that his country will keep the doors open until the last minute for North Korean athletes to participate at the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Moon also said 200 days ahead of the opening ceremony that the government will do its best to make the first Winter Games in the country a success.
Moon was elected president in May and has approached the communist North despite current tensions. He hinted at a possible joint Olympic team and also discussed it recently with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. North Korea is yet to respond.
"I again urge North Korea's decision. We will not rush nor be pessimistic, but will keep the doors open until the very last moment," the Yonhap news agency quoted Moon as saying Monday.
"The International Olympic Committee too has opened the doors for North Korea's participation, and now all that is left is North Korea's decision."
Moon visited Pyeongchang for the first time Monday as a president, was named honorary ambassador of the Games and met with organisers, volunteers and local residents.
"For the government, this will be the first major international event since we took office. I believe the government has an obligation to make the Games a success," an organising committee statement quoted Moon as saying.
"Up until now, the government left this job to the Organising Committee and Gangwon Province. Now with 200 days left, the central government will join forces to make the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games a complete success."
