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A spokesman said the IOC "welcomes the mutual
intention" of the two governments to start direct talks about
North Korean athletes participating in the Feb 9-25 Games.
"In this context, the IOC continues its discussions with the NOC
(national Olympic committee) of DPRK (North Korea)," he added.
"To allow for such a participation in respect of the Olympic
Charter, the IOC is keeping its invitation for a delegation of
the NOC of DPRK open and will take the final decision in due
time."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un referred to the Games in a New
Year's Day speech in which he also spoke of "mass-producing
nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational
deployment".
"North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good
opportunity to showcase the national pride and we wish the Games
will be a success," he said. "Officials from the two Koreas may
urgently meet to discuss the possibility," he added.
South Korea has welcomed Kim's offer but U.S.-based experts saw
Kim's speech as a clear attempt to divide Seoul from its main
ally, the United States.
Washington has led an international campaign to pressure North
Korea through sanctions to give up weapons programs aimed at
developing nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United
States.
The Pyeongchang Games will take place just 80 km (50 miles) from
the world's most heavily-armed border, the demilitarized zone
between North and South Korea.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Neville Dalton)
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