Pence: The U.S., Japan, and South Korea Agree on Intensifying Sanctions Against Pyongyang

Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, stated that South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. are in complete agreement regarding the isolation of North Korea due to its nuclear program, despite the warming relations between the two Koreas during the Winter Olympics. Pence, who traveled to South Korea for the opening of the Winter Olympics, told accompanying reporters on his flight back to the U.S.: "There is no disagreement among the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan regarding the necessity of continuing the economic and diplomatic isolation of North Korea until it abandons its nuclear and missile programs." According to Reuters, a senior official accompanying Pence also told reporters that South Korea and Japan are calling for the continuation and intensification of economic sanctions against North Korea. The Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized that there is no room for negotiation until North Korea abandons its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This official, whose name was not disclosed by Reuters, stated that on Saturday night, the U.S. Vice President and South Korean President Moon Jae-in discussed intensifying sanctions against North Korea while watching the opening of the Winter Olympics. However, according to this American official, Pence and Moon did not exchange words about inviting the South Korean President to North Korea. The American official added that the South Korean President shared details of his meeting with North Korean officials with Mike Pence, but did not provide further details.