S Korea approves $2.6 million budget for North Koreans

South Korea's Unification Ministry says the North's presence in Pyeongchang is generating "key momentum for improving inter-Korean relations and securing peace on the Korean peninsula."

South Koreans cheering in favour of a unified Korea are seen with a North Korean flag in the background at Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in  Pyeongchang County, South Korea on February 14, 2018.
Reuters

South Koreans cheering in favour of a unified Korea are seen with a North Korean flag in the background at Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang County, South Korea on February 14, 2018.

Seoul on Wednesday approved a $2.6 million budget to cover expenses for North Koreans visiting for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, officials said, after the North's leader praised the South's hospitality.

The 2.86 billion won will cover transport, hotel, food and other cost for 229 cheerleaders, a taekwondo demonstration team, and around 140 art performers, the Unification Ministry said in a statement.

The bill for 22 North Korean athletes attending the Games will be paid separately by the International Olympic Committee, officials said.

Inter-Korean relations

Seoul has been careful to try to ensure that the North Koreans' visit does not lead to a breach of the many different sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and the money is expected to be paid directly to service providers, rather than Northern officials.

Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, who chairs the ministry's South and North Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council that provided the funds, said the North's presence in Pyeongchang was generating "key momentum for improving inter-Korean relations and securing peace on the Korean peninsula".

He acknowledged concerns over the nuclear-armed North's participation in the South's Games.

"We are keeping well in mind IOC regulations, international norms and sanctions against the North," Cho added, according to Yonhap news agency.

US Vice President Mike Pence warned last week he would not allow "North Korean propaganda to hijack the message and imagery of the Olympic Games".

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has praised the welcome the South gave the North's high-level delegation last week, which included his sister Kim Yo-jong.

Yo-jong delivered Kim's invitation for the South's President Moon Jae-in to come to a summit in Pyongyang.

Moon did not immediately accept, saying the "right conditions" were needed.

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