Nov 19 (Japan Times) - A Japanese official indicated to a visiting group of South Korean lawmakers that it would be possible to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to next summer's Tokyo Olympics, a South Korean newspaper reported Wednesday, quoting one of the legislators.
Kim Jin-pyo, who headed the group on a three-day visit to Tokyo through Saturday, said he was told by a high-level Japanese official involved in diplomacy that if the North Korean leader wants to attend the Olympics next July, an official invitation could be extended, according to the JoongAng Ilbo.
A senior Japanese government official denied the report Wednesday, saying they are not at a stage to make such a statement when North Korea's participation in the games is not decided. A senior Foreign Ministry official said Kim Jin-pyo must have offered his personal view.
