[Yonhap News Photo]
SEOUL, Feb. 09 (Aju News) -- A special North Korean plane carrying the sister of leader Kim Jong-un landed at a South Korean airport Friday in a much-heralded trip that could open a new era of inter-Korean rapprochement following frozen relations for nearly ten years.
The touchdown of Kim Jong-un's private Ilyushin Il-62 plane at Incheon International Airport west of Seoul was broadcast live by South Korean TV stations. The plane carried North Korea's country name and a national flag.
Wearing a black winter coat, Kim Yo-jong with a bright smile walked into an airport VIP room for an exchange of greetings with South Korean officials, including Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon.
Outside the airport, Kim Yo-jong and Kim Yong-nam, the North's ceremonial head of state, were escorted into a black sedan protected by South Korean bodyguards for a trip to the Olympic venue in Pyeongchang aboard a high-speed train.
It marked the first air trip to Seoul by a North Korean delegation since October 2014, when three top officials attended the closing ceremony of the Asian Games in Incheon.
Pyongyang has stepped up a flurry of sports diplomacy to grab the international spotlight since its leader made a surprise decision to send an Olympic team, cheerleaders and an art troupe. His beloved younger sister was allowed to mark her debut on the international diplomatic stage.
Kim Yong-nam is to attend a reception hosted by President Moon Jae-in ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony in Pyeongchang. Kim Yo-jong has been invited to a special meeting on Saturday with Moon at an unspecified place.
The presence of high-level delegations from Washington and Pyongyang in the Olympic venue sparked speculation about possible contact because South Korea President Moon Jae-in is set to invite foreign leaders to a reception on Friday.
However, North Korea ruled out any dialogue with the United Staes when its high-level delegation attends the Winter Olympics, throwing cold water on efforts by South Korea to set the stage for an unforced get-together.
Over Pyongyang's unexpected peace posture, Washington has been cynical or struck a somewhat hardline tone. The U.S. vice president has said the United States "will not allow North Korean propaganda to hijack the message and imagery" of the Olympic Games.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
