DIPLOMATIC TIES
Kim Jong-un invites pope to Pyongyang pop-in
The invitation to the pope is the first by a North Korean leader since the year 2000
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang in a gesture designed to highlight peace efforts on the Korean peninsula, South Korea’s presidential office said on Tuesday. North Korea and the Vatican have no formal diplomatic relations. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver Kim’s invitation when he meets Francis next week during a trip to Europe, Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said. "President Moon will visit the Vatican on October 17 and 18 to reaffirm its blessing and support for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula," he told a news briefing. "Especially when he meets with Pope Francis, he will convey Chairman Kim’s message that he will ardently welcome him if he visits Pyongyang." Kim told Moon of his wish to meet the pope during September’s summit of the two leaders, the spokesperson added, without elaborating on the timing. The pope has said he wants to visit Japan in 2019. The Vatican said in a statement the pope will receive Moon...
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