The Unification Ministry says the two Koreas held contact via their communication channel in the truce village of Panmunjom. 

The contact came after North Korea earlier announced that it would open the communication hotline starting from 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

It also revealed intentions to discuss with South Korea details on sending a delegation to the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. 

Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, disclosed the plans on the Korean Central Broadcasting Station. 

He said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had ordered for the inter-Korean hotline to be reconnected in order to discuss matters related to the Winter Olympics.

Ri said the North will work closely with the South in an earnest and sincere manner in accordance with the wishes of the leadership.

Ri also said that Kim positively assessed President Moon Jae-in welcoming the North's interest in participating in the games and ordering follow-up measures to Kim's suggestion of holding talks to arrange the North's participation.

Ri quoted Kim as stressing that the issue of improving South-North ties in line with the wishes of the Korean people completely depends on how responsibly the two Koreas' officials address the matter.  

However, Ri stopped short of mentioning whether Pyongyang would accept Seoul's proposal for high-level talks.

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