DPRK delegation returns back after 3-day visit to S. Korea

SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The high-ranking delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) returned back home Tuesday, ending its three-day visit to South Korea, Seoul's unification ministry said.

The DPRK delegation, led by Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, crossed the heavily guarded inter-Korean border via land route to the DPRK side at around noon (0300 GMT).

Kim was accompanied by Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, and six other support staff.

Before heading toward the DPRK, the high-ranking delegation had a breakfast meeting with senior officials of South Korea, including Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Suh Hoon, and Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue efforts to improve inter-Korean relations and build peace on the Korean Peninsula after the Olympic period.

The DPRK delegation came here Sunday to attend the closing ceremony of the 23rd Winter Olympics.

Before the closing ceremony, the senior DPRK delegates met in PyeongChang, east of the capital Seoul, with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, saying Pyongyang had "enough" willingness to talk with Washington.

On Monday, the chief DPRK delegate said doors are open for talks with the United States without elaborating on any precondition.

The remarks were made during a closed-door meeting with Chung Eui-yong, top national security advisor for President Moon at an unidentified hotel in Seoul. Enditem