UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam to engage in dialogue on ending the nuclear crisis during a brief exchange in South Korea, a UN spokesman said on Friday (Feb 9).

Kim and Guterres attended a dinner ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

"He did have a brief exchange with president Kim," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.

Guterres again "reiterated his expectation and hope that all parties will use dialogue to achieve the peaceful denuclearisation of the peninsula," he added.

Kim is leading the North Korean delegation that also includes Kim Yo Jong, the younger powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.