Chang Ung is here to attend the World Taekwondo Championships, which begun yesterday.

The 78-year-old travelled with officials and athletes from the North Korean-led International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), whose Demonstration Team performed at the Opening Ceremony.

His visit to South Korea has coincided with the news that Pyeongchang 2018 will discuss plans for North Korea to stage competition during next year’s Winter Olympics following a suggestion from the Government.

South Korea’s Sports Minister Do Jong-hwan raised the prospect of working with North Korea in an effort to boost friendship.

Do claimed he intends to discuss possible ways to ensure North Korea's participation at Pyeongchang 2018 with the IOC.

One idea was for North Korea to host some skiing competitions at the Games.

According to the Korea Herald, he will discuss the prospect of North Korea hosting competitions at the Masikryong ski resort.

The possibility a combined Korean women's ice hockey team has also been raised by Do.

But when asked about the suggestions, Chang said he was not in a position to talk about them.

"I understand that these topics have been covered in the media," the former President of the ITF said.

"But I am here as an IOC member of North Korea, and representing the IOC.

"It's not my place to comment on things related to the Pyeongchang Olympics."

Chang did say, however, that he will hold discussions with IOC President Thomas Bach, who himself is due to visit the World Taekwondo Championships for the Closing Ceremony on Friday (June 30).

"It's not something that National Olympic Committees can decide alone," he added.

"The IOC has to be involved and I will participate in the discussions from the IOC's perspective."

Asked if he agreed with co-hosting from a general perspective, Chang replied: "I only abide by the Olympic Charter."

It remains unlikely, however, Pyeongchang 2018 would make a significant change to plans of this nature with just eight months to go before the Games, due to take place between February 9 and 25.

It is not the first time proposals for North Korea to host competitions at the Games have been mooted, with the suggestion having been raised back in 2015.

The prospect was suggested by Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon that South Korea’s bitter rival could host some of the snowboarding events in an attempt to ease tensions.

This proposal was swiftly dismissed by Pyeongchang 2018, but organisers now appear open to discussing the possibility of North Korea hosting some events.

Do has been quoted by the Korean Herald as saying that Bach, who is scheduled to attend the Closing Ceremony of the World Taekwondo Championships, has plans to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on July 3.

During a speech at the Opening Ceremony here, Moon encouraged the participation of North Korea at Pyeongchang 2018.

The 64-year-old, elected as the country’s President last month after a cronyism scandal led to Park Geun-hye being impeached, has pledged greater dialogue with the neighbouring country in a bid to reduce tensions between the two nations.

Tensions have risen in recent months with the United States and North Korea trading threats as the latter nation's leader Kim Jong-un launched new missile tests despite repeated warnings to stop.

The US are activating a missile defence system in South Korea and tightened sanctions against the North in April.