International

Kim Jong Un’s sister to meet with South Korean president

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning to meet with South Korea’s president this week as the Winter Olympics kick off, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

A private jet will carry Kim Yo Jong to the South on Friday, where she will later attend the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Games.

On Saturday, she is scheduled to join South Korean President Moon Jae-in for lunch, Moon’s presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said, according to the newswire.

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If the visit ultimately takes place, Kim Yo Jong will be the first member of North Korea’s ruling family to visit South Korea since the Korean War in the 1950s, according to the report.

Other senior North Korean officials will also accompany her, the AP reported.

Her visit will help continue to thaw the tensions on the Korean Peninsula following a year of Pyongyang’s repeated threats and nuclear and missile weapon tests.

Despite the diplomatic opening for the North and South to begin improving relations, a North Korean foreign ministry official rejected the opportunity to meet with Vice President Pence, who is leading the U.S. delegation to the winter games.

President Trump and North Korea have publicly engaged in a war or words over the missile tests.

Last year, Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea if the nation threatens the U.S. or its allies, dubbing North Korea’s leader “rocket man.”

Pence arrived in South Korea on Thursday and he is reportedly scheduled to have a separate meeting with Moon.

Pence has warned against Pyongyang “propaganda” efforts at the high-profile international event.