DPRK US Ties: Interactions between two sides during 2018 Winter Olympic Games

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Despite the warming inter-Korean relations, ties between Washington and Pyongyang failed to thaw during the Olympics. We take a look at the interaction between the two sides over the past weeks.

One day before he arrived in South Korea for the Winter Games, US Vice President Mike Pence ramped up rhetoric against Pyongyang.

MIKE PENCE US VICE PRESIDENT "We'll continue to seize every opportunity to ensure that North Korea does not use the powerful imagery and backdrop of the Olympics to paper over an appalling record of human rights and a pattern of developing weapons and conducting missile launches."

That tough talk made Pyongyang back out of a planned meeting with Pence at the last minute on February 10th.

Pence also skipped a dinner where he supposed to share a table with top DPRK legislator Kim Yong Nam.

On February 14th, the US vice president said Washington was open to talks with Pyongyang. But on February 23rd, the White House rolled out the largest-ever package of sanctions on Pyongyang. And President Donald Trump warned further consequences if no results are generated.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "Phase 2 may be a very rough thing. It may be very, very unfortunate for the world."

Pyongyang condemned the sanctions as an act of war. But hours later, it expressed willingness to talk with Washington -- signifying, perhaps, a step towards easing tensions.