DPRK accuses U.S. of trying to turn Winter Olympics into theater of confrontation

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has accused the United States of trying to turn the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics Games into a theater of confrontation with Pyongyang.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary late Friday that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence claimed that he would go to the Winter Olympics to hold back the DPRK's "propaganda offensive."

The North Korean flag flies amongst flags from many nations participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Pyeongchang Olympic Village in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. [Photo: AP]

"Pence will hold a series of press conferences before and during the Olympics and he is determined to make sure that the Olympic ground would not turn into a propaganda ground for north Korea," KCNA cited a White House official as saying.

Pence, whose father was a U.S. serviceman who took part in the 1950-53 Korean War, is known for his hardline stance against the DPRK.

"This is aimed to check the trend for improved inter-Korean ties that has gained momentum thanks to the DPRK's bold and proactive efforts, and to drive a wedge among the Koreans," said KCNA.

DPRK and South Korea held several rounds of talks last month on cooperation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

The skiers of the two sides have also held joint training sessions last week in the DPRK to prepare for the games, the KCNA reported.

The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games are scheduled to be held on Feb. 9-25 in the city of PyeongChang, South Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the list of U.S. official delegates who would attend the opening ceremony and events of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games in South Korea.

According to a White House statement, Pence will lead the delegation and his wife Karen Pence is also a member of it.

Vincent Brooks, commander of the United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, along with his predecessor, retired James Thurman, will be part of the delegation.