Ivanka to get an elaborate welcome at Pyeongchang Winter Olympics

Seoul [South Korea], Feb 20 (ANI): South Korea is reportedly preparing a lavish reception for Ivanka Trump's visit to the country when she arrives in Pyeongchang to attend the closing ceremony of Winter Olympics next week, according to officials.

The South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo reported that the officials are said to be planning to roll out the red carpet ahead of the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 25.

This is seen to be an attempt to lobby her father, the United States President Donald Trump to visit North Korea on a diplomatic trip.

The Chosun Ilbo said: "The government apparently wants to soften her up so [Donald] Trump agrees to a mooted visit to Pyongyang by President Moon Jae In."

According to the newspaper, officials plan to flatter Ivanka by having South Korean President Moon Jae In accompany her to watch a skiing competition. Ivanka is a keen skier herself and has hit the slopes at least twice since her father became the president in 2016.

Also, officials plan to get Moon's wife Kim Jung-sook to tour Ivanka across South Korea. They also reportedly want to "lavish" her three children with gifts.

"Although Seoul has no diplomatic obligation to host the president's child on such a grand level, officials are considering exceptional measures because of Ivanka's influence in the White House", The Chosun Ilbo quoted an unnamed South Korean government official as saying.

Moon stated earlier that the "right conditions" were to be created by the two Koreas for the proposed inter-Korean summit.

A high-level delegation had arrived in Pyeongchang in South Korea for a three-day visit last week that was led by the North Korean ceremonial head of state, Kim-Yong nam. The delegation also included the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong.

The possibility of what would be a third inter-Korean summit was highlighted last week when Kim's sister delivered a letter and a message from Kim, inviting the South Korean president to Pyongyang at the earliest date possible.

Kim on Tuesday pledged efforts to continue the reconciliation with its arch-rival South Korea, as relations between the two Koreas have warmed rapidly over the last few weeks.

US Vice-President Mike Pence, who was leading the country's delegation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics did not meet Yo-jong and Yong-nam, sparking speculations that the relations between Pyongyang and Washington were frosty, due to the former's persistent ballistic missile tests. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI