ADVERTISEMENT

Seoul picks up $260-per-meal tab for N. Korea delegates: reports

The nuclear-armed North sent four top officials including Kim Yo Jong and the ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, along with 18 support staff, to the Pyeongchang Winter Games as it mounted a charm offensive.

The February 9-11 trip cost the Seoul government a total of 240 million won ($220,000), Yonhap news agency cited a unification ministry as saying.

That included 130 million won for accommodation including rooms at luxury hotels in Seoul and Gangneung, 50 million won for transport and another 50 million won for food, it said late Wednesday.

On the basis that the delegates ate eight meals during their two and a half day stay, the food cost averages 284,000 won per meal per head, or $261.

ADVERTISEMENT

The menus for the delegates included pollack, kimchi and soju at the South's presidential Blue House where they met President Moon Jae-In, and marinated beef at a farewell dinner in Seoul.

The two Koreas reached a deal last month to send the North's athletes, artistes, cheerleaders and senior delegates to the February 9-25 Games and agreed that Seoul would shoulder the cost of their trips.

The South budgeted about 3 billion won for the purpose, excluding the athletes' costs, which officials said would be covered by the International Olympic Committee.

The isolated, impoverished but nuclear-armed North is under a thick layer of sanctions imposed over its widely condemned atomic and missile tests.

The North's participation in what Seoul promoted as a "peace Olympics" raised concerns over potential violations of the sanctions, from a visit by a blacklisted Pyongyang official to free Samsung smartphones given to all Olympics athletes.

ADVERTISEMENT

The UN Security Council temporarily lifted the sanction on Choe Hwi, a senior Pyongyang sports official, while the North's athletes reportedly declined to accept the high-end gadgets.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Japa bid halted as Navy arrests 75 Nigerians hiding on container ships in Lagos

Japa bid halted as Navy arrests 75 Nigerians hiding on container ships in Lagos

Comparing comprehensive vs third-party auto insurance in Nigeria

Comparing comprehensive vs third-party auto insurance in Nigeria

Kaduna Speaker to El-Rufai's son: Your threat won't stop us from probing your father

Kaduna Speaker to El-Rufai's son: Your threat won't stop us from probing your father

Makinde demolishes building where Yoruba Nation agitators operate from

Makinde demolishes building where Yoruba Nation agitators operate from

APC chieftain, Lukman faults NWC for backing Ganduje over suspension

APC chieftain, Lukman faults NWC for backing Ganduje over suspension

EFCC gets permission to drag ex-governor Yahaya Bello to court tomorrow

EFCC gets permission to drag ex-governor Yahaya Bello to court tomorrow

Court stops EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello hours after agents surrounded his house

Court stops EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello hours after agents surrounded his house

Tinubu hails Dangote's diesel price cut, expects economic boost

Tinubu hails Dangote's diesel price cut, expects economic boost

'Is this relevant?' - Nigerians react as Gov Adeleke signs bill for new Osun State logo

'Is this relevant?' - Nigerians react as Gov Adeleke signs bill for new Osun State logo

Pulse Sports

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT