North Korea would like to share some events in the 2018 Winter Olympics with South Korea, a senior North Korean sports official was quoted as saying yesterday.

Jang Ung, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said it was “positive” for Asia to host only its third Winter Games, the South’s Yonhap news agency reported from Tokyo.

Asked about the possibility of sharing some events with host town Pyeongchang, Jang replied: “I hope so.”

“The political and military situations between the Koreas aren’t good and they have to be improved,” Jang was quoted as saying in the media.

“Otherwise, they could influence the Olympics.”

The North Korean official was visiting the Japanese capital for the general assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Later in the day he qualified his remarks, saying it was premature to discuss co-hosting the 2018 Olympics or sharing some events.

“My point was that the current situation between South and North Korea must improve,” Jang said.

“But, it’s not yet time to talk about co-hosting.”