Mastermind of attacks on South to lead North Korea delegation

North Korea will send a high-ranking official accused of plotting several attacks on South Korea to lead its delegation at Sunday’s Winter Olympics closing ceremony in the South.

General Kim Yong-chol, a vice chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee and former head of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a spy agency, will lead the country’s eight-member delegation on a three day trip starting Sunday.

Kim is believed to have masterminded an attack that sunk the Cheonan navy ship and killed 46 South Korean sailors in 2010.

Still, his visit signals that the nations are trying to improve inter-Korea relations.

Earlier this month, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, attended the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony and met with South Korea’s President, Moon Jae-in.

President Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, is scheduled to lead the American delegation at Sunday’s closing ceremony.

U.S. officials said Trump has no plans to meet with North Korean officials, according to The New York Times.

“I am honored to lead the U.S. delegation to the closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. We look forward to congratulating Team USA and celebrating all that our athletes have achieved. Their talent, drive, grit and spirit embodies American excellence, and inspire us all,” Trump said in a statement.

Vice President Mike Pence was present at the Games’ opening ceremony and was scheduled to meet with Kim Yo-jong before North Korea backed out.

The South Korean government said Thursday that it would allow Kim Yong-chol into its country.

“We expect the high-level delegation’s participation in the closing ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to help advance the process of settling peace on the Korean Peninsula including the improvement of inter-Korean relations and denuclearization,” the Unification Ministry, a South Korean government agency said in a statement, The New York Times reported.

“Against this backdrop, from this standpoint, we will accept the visit of North Korea’s high-level delegation to the South.”

Kim Yong-chol is expected to meet with Moon about a summit meeting during his visit, according to the New York Times.