Ruling Democratic Party chairwoman Choo Mi-ae has asked for Washington’s cooperation in bringing North Korea to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
 
In a news conference at UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Choo said that as leader of South Korea's governing party, she requested that North Korean athletes take part in the winter games.
 
She expressed hope that by taking part in the Olympics, North Korea would join the path toward a new era of peace on the Korean Peninsula. 
 
She said North Korea's participation would be a symbol of a safe and peaceful Olympics.
 
She said she hoped that the North Korean pairs figure skating team of Ryom Tae-ok and Kim Ju-sik would compete in PyeongChang as they secured their Olympic berth last month.
 
Choo said that if North Korean performance teams and cheering squads can also join, the Olympics would be an even greater festival.
 
Regarding an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping for Choo to attend a global meeting of political parties scheduled this month in Beijing, the ruling party chief noted that North Korean representatives are also expected to come to the event.
 
She said if she gets to meet with the North's delegation, she will express hope for Pyongyang's participation in the PyeongChang Games.