NHK WORLD, 10, FEB, 2018–South Korea and the United States have shown opposite attitudes toward North Korea. President Moon Jae-in welcomed a North Korean delegation to the PyeongChang Olympic Games, but US Vice President Mike Pence strongly criticized the North.

The delegation’s 4 members include Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and high-ranking official, Kim Yong Nam.

President Moon welcomed the delegation saying its presence in the South shows the North’s desire to celebrate the Olympics and ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Moon warmly greeted Kim Yong Nam at a pre-Olympic reception and they sat together at the same table.
At the opening ceremony, Moon exchanged words and shook hands several times with Kim Yo Jong, who was sitting right behind him.

Moon is expected to invite her and other North Korean delegates to a luncheon at the presidential office on Saturday.

Meanwhile, US Vice President Mike Pence met 4 defectors from North Korea and urged people not to be misled by the country’s charm offensive during the PyeongChang Games. Pence said North Korea is a regime that imprisons, tortures and impoverishes its citizens, as the defectors can attest.

Pence attended the reception for only 5 minutes and left without shaking hands with Kim Yong Nam.