A senior United Nations envoy says that if North Korea refrains from provocations until the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, it could serve as a turning point leading to dialogue.

United Nations Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman made the remark on Thursday during an interview with Japan's Kyodo News.

Feltman visited North Korea last week and met with senior officials in an urgent effort to create dialogue opportunities between Pyongyang and the international community.

The UN envoy hoped that North Korea would take the great opportunity, referring to the UN's adoption of a resolution calling for a truce around the period of the Winter Olympics.

He reportedly expressed concerns about possible accidental clashes due to lack of communication channels between the U.S. and North Korea.

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