Korean officials meet to discuss Olympics

SEOUL, South Korea -- Senior officials from the rival Koreas said earlier today they would try to achieve a breakthrough in their long-strained ties as they sat for rare talks at the border to discuss how to cooperate in next month's Winter Olympics in the South and other issues.

The Koreas' first talks in two years were arranged after North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un recently made an abrupt push for improved ties with South Korea after a year of elevated tensions with the outside world over his expanding nuclear and missile programs. Critics say Kim may be trying to divide Seoul and Washington in a bid to weaken international pressure and sanctions on the North.

"I think we should be engaged in these talks with an earnest, sincere manner to give a New Year's first gift -- precious results (of the talks) to the Korean nation," chief North Korean delegate Ri Son Gwon said at the start of the negotiations, according to media footage from the venue. Ri wore a lapel pin with the images of Kim's father and grandfather, late North Korean rulers Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung.

Ri's South Korean counterpart, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, said he also hopes they would come up with a "good gift" that would satisfy Korean people's wishes for better ties. "There is a saying 'well begun is half done.' I'd like us to have will and patience to resolve (issues) at the negotiation," Cho said.

The talks were being held at the village of Panmunjom, the only place on the tense border where North and South Korean soldiers are feet away from each other.

Despite the seeming amicable start of the talks, the prospect for the negotiations was unclear. The two Koreas have a long history of ending key talks without any agreement and failing to follow through with rapprochement accords.

South Korean officials said they would focus first on Olympic cooperation in today's talks before dealing with tougher political and military issues. The government of South Korea's liberal President Moon Jae-in wants North Korea to take part in the Games, Feb. 9 to 25, as a way to improve relations.