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US Vice President Leaves For Trip to S. Korea, Japan

Washington (February 06, 2018): United States Vice President Mike Pence departed for a trip to Japan and South Korea on Monday with a stark message that countries should not be fooled by what the White House sees as a North Korean attempt to overshadow the 2018 Olympics with propaganda.

Pence is leading a US delegation to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea in part to offset efforts by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to present what President Donald Trump’s advisers see as a facade of international goodwill and cooperation.

Officials said on Monday that North Korea’s ceremonial leader Kim Yong Nam is travelling to South Korea this week, making him the most senior North Korean official to enter the country since the Korean War ended with a truce in 1953, and raising hopes about potential inter-Korean talks.Hundreds of North Korean officials, athletes, cheerleaders and artistic performers are also expected to attend. Despite an optimistic tone by South Korea’s Blue House, which noted North Korea’s resolve to improve relations on the peninsula, White House officials are not convinced.

“The vice president will be there with Mr. Warmbier at the Opening Ceremony … to remind the world of the atrocities that happen in North Korea,” a White House official said.Image result for Moon Jae-inPence will also visit a memorial for 46 South Korean sailors killed in 2010 in the sinking of a warship that Seoul blamed on a North Korean torpedo attack.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday “we’ll have to see what happens” when asked whether Pence or other officials would meet North Koreans at the Winter Olympic Games.Image result for North Korea’s ceremonial leader Kim Yong Nam“The vice president most certainly is not seeking a meeting with the North Koreans,” a White House official said.

Pence will hold a briefing with US military officials about ballistic missile defence systems in Alaska before proceeding to Japan, where he lands on Tuesday. There he will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visit troops at Yokota Air Base before departing for Seoul on Thursday, where he will meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

After the memorial visit, Pence heads to Pyeongchang for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and remains at the Games until Saturday.

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