By Lee Hana

President Moon Jae-in met with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, currently in Korea for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, for bilateral talks at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 13.

President Moon talked about the recently improved relations between the two Koreas, thanks to the stage set by the PyeongChang Olympics, and said, "Even the U.S. is looking favorably upon inter-Korean talks, and has expressed willingness to talk with North Korea."

"I ask that Latvia lend its support to ensure that the recent inter-Korean talks can lead to dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang," he said.

President Vejonis lauded President Moon for transforming the PyeongChang Olympics into an Olympics of Peace. He said, "It's especially significant that Kim Yo-jong, chairman of the Worker's Party of Korea, was sent as the leader of the North Korean delegation. North Korea is sending a message to the world through this move."

The two heads of state also welcomed the launch of the Korea-Baltic joint economic committee, an initiative proposed by Latvia that's due to kick off later this year. The presidents agreed to diversify and expand economic cooperation between their countries using this platform.

hlee10@korea.kr