US wants peaceful resolution – Pence

Tokyo – US Vice-President Mike Pence said yesterday the United States wants to peacefully dismantle North Korea’s nuclear programme but warned Pyongyang not to underestimate US military strength or resolve.

“Our forces are ready and our nation is resolved,” Pence said in a speech to US troops at the Yokota Air Base in Japan, as he prepared to fly to South Korea to attend the Winter Olympics.

“America stands strong with the proud and free people of South Korea and we always will,” he added.

Pence, who arrived in Japan on Tuesday to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was scheduled to travel to South Korea yesterday to attend the Pyongchang Winter Olympics opening ceremony, just 80km from the heavily armed border with North Korea. Two of North Korea’s most senior officials will also be there.

On Wednesday, Pence said Washington would soon impose its harshest-yet sanctions on Pyongyang.

After a year of escalating rhetoric between Pyongyang and Washington, tensions have eased after the North’s leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year’s address he was willing to open discussions with Seoul.

Since then, the North has agreed to take part in the South’s Winter Olympics with a combined women’s ice hockey team from both sides. Kim Yo-jong, the 28-year-old sister of the North Korean leader, will attend.