The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has ruled out any official meeting with the United States during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.[Special Coverage]
The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper Thursday quoted an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that the DPRK never begs for dialogue with the United States and it does not have any intention to hold meetings with U.S. officials during the games.
The official also brushed off remarks made by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence about the possibility of meetings between the two sides, calling them "ridiculous."
The official said the visit by the high-level DPRK delegation to South Korea is solely for the purpose of the Olympics and is not politically motivated.
The DPRK is sending a high-level delegation to the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday. Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un, and Kim Yong Nam, its top legislator, are among the delegation.
Pence, who will also join the opening ceremony, said in Tokyo Wednesday he would wait and see if there could be any meetings between officials of the United States and the DPRK during the games.
