The first lady highlighted the significance of the Paralympic Games, noting the first Paralympic Games were held in Seoul when it hosted the 1988 Summer Olympic Games.

"The upcoming Paralympics will be the largest in history with 25,000 people, including some 1,500 athletes and officials, from around 50 countries set to take part," she said.

Kim said the success of the PyeongChang Paralympic Games will help upgrade her country and its people.

"The level of human rights protection and welfare for the disabled is one of the gauges to measure the level of a society. The Moon Jae-in government is trying many policy changes to go beyond disabilities and move toward a Republic of Korea where all people live together," the first lady told the ceremony.

She said the PyeongChang Olympics and Paralympic Games will be especially historical events with North Korea taking part in both events.

North Korea agreed on Wednesday to send a 150-member delegation to the Paralympic Games, in addition to what will likely be a 400-member delegation to the Olympic Games.

"It has a great meaning in that it will be the first time North Korea takes part in the Winter Paralympic Games," Kim said. (Yonhap)