Sending his own sister, also considered his other self,.. Kim Yo-jong will be the first member of the Kim ruling family to come to South Korea.
Kim Yo-jong's inclusion is likely to irritate the U.S. that has sent its own delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence-- to counter North Korea's charm offensive.
Oh Jung-hee reports.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong will be the first of Pyongyang's Kim dynasty -- of the so-called Mount Baekdu bloodline -- to visit South Korea.
The North notified the South on Wednesday of its high-level delegation,... and Seoul's unification ministry said... Pyongyang seems to have taken into account... both Kim Yo-jong's position within the regime... as well as the fact that national leaders tend to send their family members to other countries for celebrations.
Experts say... Pyongyang aims to maximize the effect of the sudden change of atmosphere on the Korean peninsula... by using Kim Yo-jong as a card.
The scheduled presence of U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump... is another reason.

"President Trump is sending his country's vice president, Mike Pence, as well as his daughter,... and the North would have considered that. By sending delegates who're at the same level with those of the U.S., like Kim Yo-jong and Kim Yong-nam, the North aims to show it's willing to improve ties with the South."

Pundits add... that another person making the trip South, Choe Hwi is going not only because he's the regime's highest authority in sports,... but also a very close aide to Kim Jong-un.
Also Ri Son-kwon... as a control tower-like figure... since he led the North Korean delegation at the high-level talks a month ago.

By sending Kim Yo-jong to the South,... experts believe Pyongyang aims to show the world that it's sincere about improving inter-Korean ties.
They see it as highly likely that Kim Yo-jong will deliver proposals or messages to South Korean president Moon Jae-in... on behalf of her brother.

"North Korea could make some dramatic proposals to the South through Kim Yo-jong... like holding Seoul-Pyongyang summit talks... or having a high-level South Korean delegation visit the North. So the Seoul government will have to be ready for all possible scenarios."

Pundits also stress... that it's crucial for Seoul to maintain close coordination and communication with Washington.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.