The minister said North Korea proposed dispatching a high-level delegation, including athletes, supporters, art performers, and journalists to the Games. He said the North also proposed holding reunions of families separated by the Korean War and resumption of bilateral military dialogue.

On the threshold of the dialogue, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said South Korea would do its utmost to make the Olympics a peaceful festival and the first steps towards improving inter-Korean relations.

Seoul will consider lifting sanctions against Pyongyang temporarily in order to facilitate the visit of North Koreans to the Winter Olympics. Foreign ministry spokesman Roh Kyu Deok told a regular briefing that South Korea will consider the move together with the United Nations Security Council and other countries involved.