In recent months, North Korea has held multiple missile launches and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. But the New Year has brought a marked softening of tone on both sides.

The two Koreas have been separated by the world’s most heavily militarised border since the Korean war ended in 1953.

Kim Jong-un wished the Olympics to be success and would consider sending a delegation while delivering a speech in a new year.

North Korea’s Olympic representative has reportedly said the reclusive nation is “likely to participate” in next month’s Winter Games in South Korea.

The comments by Chang Ung, Pyongyang’s representative to the International Olympic Committee, come a day after the North and South agreed to hold rare talks next weekand hours after Seoul and Washington announced they would postpone joint military exercises that rile North Korea.

It quoted unnamed sources saying the trip may be aimed at meeting with the IOC to discuss the North’s potential participation in the games at Pyeongchang. Seoul and organisers are keen for the North to take part in the games to help ease worsening tensions on the Korean peninsula stemming from Kim’s confrontation with the world over his country’s nuclear and missile programmes.