South Korea’s Foreign Ministry is closely discussing with the U.S. and other concerned countries regarding a planned visit to the South by a senior North Korean official blacklisted under international sanctions. 

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Noh Kyu-duk relayed the government’s stance during a regular media briefing on Thursday, when asked about Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party. 

Kim is scheduled to lead a high-level delegation to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics for a three-day visit beginning on Sunday. 

Noh said Seoul’s basic stance is to abide by the international community’s North Korea sanctions as it seeks to successfully host the Winter Olympics. He said the government is closely consulting with the U.S. and other countries to receive the North Korean senior official without breaching the framework of the sanctions. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo-jong, who visited the South to attend the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Games, is also on the U.S. sanction list, but Seoul and Washington approved her visit after consultations. 

Meanwhile, the ministry spokesman declined to comment on suspicions Kim Yong-chol was the mastermind of various provocations against the South, including the deadly sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan in 2010.