North Korean Delegation Canceled Meeting with Trump’s Deputy at the Last Moment

The U.S. State Department says that during Vice President Donald Trump's trip to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, a meeting between North Korean officials and Mike Pence was proposed, but Pyongyang canceled the meeting at the last moment. Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on February 19 that 'during the recent visit of the Vice President to South Korea... the possibility of a brief meeting with the heads of the North Korean delegation was raised.' She added that Mike Pence was 'willing to take the opportunity' to emphasize the necessity for North Korea to withdraw from its 'illegal ballistic missile and nuclear programs.' The State Department spokesperson expressed regret, stating that 'in the final moments, officials from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [North Korea] decided to forgo this meeting.' Mike Pence had traveled to South Korea at the beginning of the Pyeongchang Winter Games with the U.S. team. North Korea, following Kim Jong-un's New Year's speech and its decision to participate in the Winter Olympics, sent a political delegation south, which unexpectedly included Kim Jong-un's sister. Pence had criticized Pyongyang and its nuclear and missile activities both before and during his trip to South Korea, but regarding the potential meeting, he stated, 'I did not request a meeting; we will see what happens.' The official North Korean news agency also reported on February 6 that Pyongyang officials did not intend to meet with U.S. officials during the Winter Olympics in South Korea. On Tuesday, the office of the U.S. Vice President stated that North Korea had raised the issue of a meeting with the hope that it would reduce the intensity of actions against Pyongyang. Pence's office suggested that North Korean officials may have decided against the meeting after realizing that Vice President Trump would present a strong U.S. stance. The Washington Post was the first media outlet to report on the potential meeting between North Korean officials and Mike Pence. Pence himself stated in an interview with the Washington Post last week that the Trump administration is pursuing a strategy of maximum pressure while engaging with Pyongyang and is also ready for 'unconditional dialogue' with North Korea. According to the Associated Press, Pence's chief of staff indicated that if a meeting were to take place between Pence and North Korean officials, the Vice President would convey the 'uncompromising message' of the U.S. government regarding the 'maximum pressure' strategy. Pence added, 'This likely caused them to forgo the meeting; perhaps there was never any sincerity on their part from the beginning.' North Korea and its official media have not yet responded to the published reports and statements from U.S. officials. However, South Korea's state news agency reported, citing a foreign ministry official, that during Ivanka Trump's upcoming visit to Seoul, the topic of efforts to arrange a meeting between Pyongyang and Washington will likely be discussed.