Mike Pence will lead the U.S. Olympic delegation to 'send a clear signal to the North Korean regime'

Mike Pence.
(Image credit: Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images)

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen will lead the U.S. delegation at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the White House announced Wednesday. The decision comes as North and South Korea have defused tensions in recent days, with Pyongyang agreeing to participate in the Winter Games and the two nations reopening their military hotline.

U.S. delegations to the Olympics typically attend the Opening Ceremony, meet with athletes, and participate in events in the host city. Pence's attendance is additionally intended to "reinforce the strong U.S. presence on the Korean Peninsula and send a clear signal to the North Korean regime," a White House official told CBS News.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.