South Korea yesterday offered high-level talks with rival North Korea to find ways to co-operate on next month’s Winter Olympics in the South.

Seoul’s quick proposal followed a rare rapprochement overture from the North a day earlier.

It offers the possibility of better ties following an international row over the North’s nuclear weapons programme and threatening military exercises held by South Korea and the United States.

In his New Year’s address, North Korean dynastic leader Kim Jong Un said he was willing to send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games, while repeating threats against the United States.

Analysts say Kim may be trying to drive a wedge between Seoul and the US.

Kim’s overture was welcome news for a South Korean government led by President Moon Jae In, who favours dialogue to ease the North’s nuclear threats and wants to use the Olympics as a chance to improve inter-Korean ties.