U.S. to unveil toughest sanctions ever on North Korea, vice-president says

TOKYO— U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence said the United States is preparing to announce the “toughest and most aggressive” economic sanctions against North Korea in the coming days, boosting pressure on the bellicose government during the Winter Olympics.

Pence, who is set to lead the U.S. delegation at the opening ceremonies Friday, made the announcement in Japan on Wednesday, following meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“The United States of America will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever — and we will continue to isolate North Korea until it abandons its nuclear and ballistic missile programs once and for all,” Pence said.

U.S. officials declined to provide details of the expected sanctions beyond Pence’s comments, citing concerns that any additional information could be used by those trying to skirt the new measures. They are ex- pected to be implemented before the conclusion of the Games.

On a six-day trip to Japan and South Korea, Pence is seeking to reassure and refocus allies on the growing nuclear threat. In meetings with government leaders, military officials and U.S. service members, Pence said he wants to make sure the Olympics don’t distract from North Korea’s human rights abuses and nuclear program. “The United States is with you in this challenge,” he told Abe. “We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Japan, the people of South Korea and our allies and partners across the region until we achieve the global objective of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”