South Korean Olympic Officials Still Hoping For North's Involvement In PyeongChang Games

As Olympic officials "try to persuade" North Korea to join the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, Leader Kim Jong Un has "a weakness that may help them: He loves sport," according to Pearson, Shin & Grohmann of REUTERS. Economic sanctions on the reclusive nation "are mounting" but the sporting world and South Korea are "doing everything in their power to try to coax Pyongyang to accept an invitation to the Games and relieve geopolitical tensions that have hurt ticket sales." South Korean law maker Song Ki-hun said, "We are doing our utmost for the North's participation. But Kim Jong Un is very unpredictable." Kim has "boosted spending on sports as part of his ambition" to turn the North into a "sports power." A European winter sports federation official said, "With North Korea there, things will be smoother. The Games will only be really successful if they are smooth." The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the prospect of U.S. athletes competing with North Korea (REUTERS, 11/6).