Seoul's top diplomat said that South Korea is looking beyond North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said the government is considering ways to improve cross-border ties and closely collaborate with the international community to bring about North Korea's denuclearization.

She made the remarks on Monday during a launch ceremony of a Foreign Ministry task force in charge of the protocol of foreign leaders who will visit South Korea during the PyeongChang Olympics and Paralympic Games.

She said that if North Korea takes part in the games, this would strengthen the profile of the event as a "peace Olympics."

Last month, Minister Kang said that about 43 foreign heads of states have so far expressed their intent to visit the PyeongChang Olympics as conveyed to the International Olympic Committee.

The newly launched task force will be in charge of protocol preparations for foreign leaders and ranking officials coming to South Korea next month.
  
On Tuesday, South and North Korea will meet to discuss the North's participation in the Olympics.

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