South Korea is working closely with the International Olympic Committee to persuade North Korea to participate in the upcoming Winter Olympics in the South's alpine county of PyeongChang, Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday.

"Though it's not that we're talking directly to North Korea, the IOC and other related agencies are making efforts for North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Olympics," senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan told reporters.

"We're also cooperating closely with the IOC," he said.

In last week's summit, President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared an understanding that the North's participation in the upcoming Winter Games will contribute to improving inter-Korean relations and reducing regional tensions, and agreed to work together on it.