North Korea calls for reunification 'breakthrough' with South Korea
Announcement is another sign of eased relations between Pyongyang and Seoul
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.North Korea issued a rare announcement asking all Koreans to work towards a “breakthrough” in efforts to reunify with the South.
The call from Pyongyang continued a thaw in relations following months of mounting tension on the Korean Peninsula.
It urged “all Koreans at home and abroad” to “promote contact, travel, cooperation between North and South Korea”.
After repeatedly testing ballistic missiles and threatening to annihilate its neighbours in recent months, the North Korean regime has extended an olive branch by agreeing to send athletes to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang, South Korea.
The first North Korean athletes crossed the border on Thursday morning to begin training ahead of the 9 February Games.
South Korea's recently elevated President Moon Jae-in has championed closer relations with North Korea and has called the games an “epoch-making opportunity to improve inter-Korean relations and establish peace”.
In its announcement, North Korea vowed to “smash” impediments to reunifying the Korean Peninsula and called military tension a “fundamental obstacle”.
It also decried military drills conducted with “outside forces”, a reference to joint exercises with the United States that North Korea views as provocations.
The Korean Peninsula has been divided since the Korean War ended in a 1953 armistice.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments