Despite being separated by just a few feet, seated in the same box at the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics, Vice President Mike Pence refused to acknowledge North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s sister.
Kim Yo Jong was part of a diplomatic delegation sent to the Winter Games, in what South Korean President Moon Jae-in has described as the ‘peace Olympics.’ It has been a bit of a thawing out session between the two nations surrounding the sporting event.
Kim shook hands with the South Korean president, but Pence ignored her.
“Vice President Mike Pence took in the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony just one row away from two high-ranking North Korean officials, including the sister of leader Kim Jong Un,” a USA Today report states, “but he didn’t exchange a word with them.”
North Korea’s ceremonial head of state, Mike Pence, Kim Jong Un’s sister. Quite a photo via @YonhapNews pic.twitter.com/tgvuybmH2a
— James Pearson (@pearswick) February 9, 2018
The host country also held a pre-opening ceremony, ceremony, in which Pence and the North Korean delegates also attended.
White House officials stated that the parties “did not cross paths or talk at the reception” either.
Mike Pence doesn’t speak with North Koreans, including Kim Jong Un’s sister, at the #openingceremony, even though they’re sitting a row away. https://t.co/rFQ6nr5fCI #olympics #olympics2018 (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/eHR2ouaR9W
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2018
Just days earlier, Pence ripped the North Korean regime and announced the “toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever” were heading down the pike.
And he wasn’t about to let the Olympic Games stand in the way of sending that message to North Korea.
“We will not allow North Korea to hide behind the Olympic banner the reality that they enslave their people and threaten the wider region,” he said.
Kim Jong Un’s sister and Pence, trying very hard to pretend the other isn’t there. #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/81lD2tWLUx
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) February 9, 2018
It’s clear Pence isn’t buying into the “peace Olympics” show being put on display by Kim Jong Un and his delegation. While many people stood to cheer the North and South Korean teams entering the stadium together, both he and his wife Karen, stayed seated.
A White House official confirmed Pence stood only for the U.S. team.
What do you think of North Korea sending Kim Jong Un’s sister to sit next to Vice President Pence? Share your thoughts below!
