Tillerson says N. Korea an equal player at PyeongChang Olympics
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will be participating in the Winter Olympics as an equal player, not to win concessions from the South Korean government, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said.
The top U.S. diplomat, who was visiting Colombia, told Fox News Tuesday he does not think North Koreans will be gaining more from its participation in the PyeongChang Games than any other nation.
"The South Koreans have been using some training facilities in the North, so our understanding is this is on a reciprocal basis and there is no gain, there is no cash or anything being paid to the North Koreans for their participation in the Olympics," he said. "So it's very much just on an equal basis."
Critics say North Korea agreed to join the Olympics in a bid to ease international pressure and sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
Asked if the rapprochement brought any gains to the U.S. or South Korea, Tillerson said, "Well, I'm not sure that the South or the U.S. expected to get anything out of this.
"In terms of the South Koreans allowing the North Koreans to participate, and with the approval of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) as well, our understanding is that what North Korea is receiving from the South Koreans is no more than what all the participants who are attending the Olympics are receiving," he said.
Vice President Mike Pence will lead the U.S. presidential delegation to the opening ceremony Friday. Speculation is rife he could meet with members of North Korea's official delegation on the sidelines.
But Tillerson reiterated, "Whatever happens while the vice president is there, we'll just have to see."
North Korea offered earlier Wednesday to send Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, to the opening.
hague@yna.co.kr
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