The White House announced Thursday its list of official delegates to attend the opening ceremony and events of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games set to begin Feb. 9 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence were already announced to lead the delegation in January, just before the vice president’s trip to Seoul. Joining them will be House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Ed Royce, Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, retired Gen. James D. Thurman, U.S. diplomat in Seoul Marc E. Knapper, and 2002 ladies figure skating gold medalist Sarah Hughes.
The Olympics in South Korea are approaching at a delicate time in U.S.-Korean relations. Tensions on the peninsula have risen to new heights over the last year following increased development of North Korea’s nuclear program, provoking strong rhetoric between President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. In addition, the Trump administration has yet to name a new ambassador to South Korea, pulling their vetted candidate for the position earlier this week.
Both sides, however, have shown a willingness to cooperate in light of the upcoming games. It was announcing in January that North and South Korean athletes would march together in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, and last week, North Korea announced a call for reunification.
The U.S. and South Korea have also agreed to postpone joint military exercises until after the games. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that North Korea is also scaling back its annual winter military exercises, though many believe it to be a result of international sanctions.
