Winter Olympics shall not violate sanctions on N Korea: US

The United States has asked South Korea to ensure that North Korean participation in Winter Olympics does not violate the UN Security Council's sanction on Pyongyang.

In a statement, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "The United States welcomes the January 9 meeting between the Republic of Korea and North Korea aimed at ensuring a safe, secure, and successful Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The United States remains in close consultations with ROK officials, who will ensure North Korean participation in the Winter Olympics does not violate the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council over North Korea's unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs."

She said that US President Donald Trump had told his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in on January 4 that Washington is committed to a safe and successful Winter Olympic Games, and Washington will send a high-level presidential delegation to the Games.

During the conversation, the two leaders also agreed to continue the campaign of maximum pressure on North Korea toward the goal of complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Talks were held between chief North Korean delegate Ri Son Gwon and Chief South Korean delegate Cho Myoung-gyon at the border village of Panmunjom on Tuesday. After the talks, North Korea agreed to take part in next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea.