South Korea hails North’s proposal for talks

South Korea on Monday welcomed a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he is open to talks between the two countries, and may consider sending a delegation to next month’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korean news agency Yonhap News reported. 

“We welcome that Kim expressed willingness to send a delegation and proposed talks as he acknowledged the need for improvement in inter-Korean ties,” a South Korean government spokesman said.

“The successful launch of the games will contribute to stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in East Asia and the rest of the world.”

{mosads}Kim in a televised message earlier Monday added, however, that his country would not give up its nuclear missile program, claiming a “nuclear button” is always on his desk.

Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have risen in recent months.

The U.S. hit North Korea with additional sanctions after Pyongyang conducted a ballistic missile test in November.

North Korea claimed the missile could reach anywhere on the U.S. mainland.

Since then, the U.S. and South Korea have conducted joint military drills, despite warnings from North Korea to halt them.