South Korean President Moon Jae-in sat next to the powerful sister of the North's leader Kim Jong Un at a concert in Seoul by musicians from Pyongyang, as conservative protesters burned the North's national flag outside on Sunday.
As the first immediate member of the North's ruling family to visit South Korea, Kim was swarmed by the local news media.
Camera flashes; mobs of reporters: Through it all, Kim has maintained a placid smile - and despite Pence's stated intention to reinforce North Korea's isolation during his Olympic visit, the sister of the repressive regime's leader seems to have spent at least as much time with Moon as Pence did.
It is rare for the North's official media to refer to the South's leader as president, usually describing them as chief executive or similar, and even more unusual for a picture of them to be shown.
Any summit between the two still-officially warring Koreas would be a coup for Moon, who has been pushing for a diplomatic solution to the standoff over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
One key question of her visit was what message she would convey from her brother over inter-Korean ties amid a reconciliatory mood between the two Koreas surrounding the North's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Games.
"Kim Jong Un is clearly serious about reviving talks with the South to improve relations", said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seoul's Dongguk University and a security adviser to Moon.
In a surreal mixture of dignitaries, the Olympic Stadium's VIP box included Kim Yo Jong and North Korea's nominal head of state, Kim Yong Nam, sitting above and behind U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and fellow hard-liner Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister.
A White House official said although Moon did not discuss the invitation with Pence, the South Korean president made it very clear that only when North Korea actually starts to take steps to denuclearize would anyone even consider beginning to take the pressure off.
3 people killed in helicopter crash near Grand Canyon
He said National Transportation Safety Board officials were expected at the crash scene to begin investigating the cause. The four survivors were airlifted to a Nevada hospital while crews were recovering the three bodies, authorities said.
After the opening ceremony, the North Korean delegates moved to Seoul and spent the night at the Walkerhill hotel, a riverside facility named after late U.S. Army commander Walton Walker, who's considered a Korean War hero in the South.
Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom cited Moon as replying: "Let's create the environment for that to be able to happen".
Sunday's KCNA report cited Moon as saying inter-Korean relations should be mended by the parties concerned "at any cost as indicated by Chairman Kim Jong Un in his New Year Address".
The event, cheered by the crowd at the Gangwon Career Education Institute in Sokcho, featured teams from both countries performing for 25 minutes before briefly joining together as one.
Kim Yo Jong is the first member of her family to set foot in this country since the north and south were divided and her grandfather, Kim Il Sung, founded North Korea.
South Korea suggested the formation of a joint team as part of its efforts to use the Games to re-engage with the North and pave the way for talks over the North's weapons programme.
"We should firmly keep in mind any talks where denuclearisation is not a precondition only buy North Korea more time to complete its nuclear capabilities while they fool us with their peace offensive façade", said Chang Je-won, spokesman for the Liberty Korea Party.
Moon did not immediately accept the offer, calling instead for efforts to "create the right conditions to realise" such a visit and urging Pyongyang to actively seek dialogue with the U.S., he added.
"What can not be overlooked is that Moon did not directly demand North Korea to abandon its nuclear development".
Zuma's future in Ramaphosa's hands
The occasion marked the first time Mandela addressed South Africans after 27 years in prison for opposing apartheid. The demonstrations would have been timed to coincide with a parliamentary vote of no-confidence on February 22.
Rahul Gandhi continues with temple circuit
Gandhi's 30-minute speech in Hindi was simultaneously translated in the native language Kannada for the benefit of the audience. Rahul Gandhi is campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka ahead of upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Newcastle rock United as Huddersfield win at last
The Reds endured a frustrating afternoon at St James' Park and were beaten 1-0 after a second-half victor from Matt Ritchie . Manchester United play Spanish giants Sevilla in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League clash on Wednesday.
Chris Mazdzer Wins US's First Men's Singles Olympic Luge Medal
On Sunday, he'll try to win a historic medal for Team U.S.A using the same technique that has proven effective for him so far. But everything fell apart in the final run as Loch looked a shell of his self, unable to control his line down the hill.
President Trump signs spending bill
Paul, a fiscal conservative , used procedural tactics to block the Senate from voting on the bill before the midnight deadline. In floor speeches Thursday night, Paul lambasted his fellow Republicans for supporting a bill that will worsen the deficit .
Rising bond yields could win next round in battle with stock market
At the same time, the USA deficit is growing and would be bumped up even more by the Senate budget deal, if it passes Congress. The fragile rebound lifted the market a bit, and the Dow and S&P 500 are now about 8% off their from all-time highs.
Ireland's Thrashing Of Italy Has Certainly Come At A Cost
Stockdale soon had his second and Ireland's eighth before Italy grabbed a third late on through Matteo Minozzi . Ireland eased to a 63-10 win over the Italians in Rome a year ago .
Freezing rain warning in effect for Waterloo Region, snow event in Cambridge
Environment Canada has lifted a special weather statement for Waterloo Region, however a freezing rain warning is in effect. Freezing rain is expected for the most of the day Sunday after another round of snow developing overnight Saturday.
Clemson Projected As A 3 Seed In March
Auburn's only losses this season have come against teams rated 17th (Texas A&M), 33rd (Alabama) and 39th in the RPI (Temple). Kansas was the sixth overall seed and part of a stacked West region that included Arizona, North Carolina and Purdue.
Could it return? Snow in Tri-City weather forecast. Maybe
The National Weather Service in Buffalo said travel may become hard due to mixed precipitation resulting in icy conditions. More than two dozen counties in IN have been placed under some sort of travel restriction due to snow and freezing rain .
Firmino, Salah help Liverpool heap more misery on Southampton
Virgil van Dijk partners Joel Matip in the heart of Liverpool's defence on his return to Southampton on Sunday afternoon. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg , who was on the bench for that game, replaces Sofiane Boufal in midfield .
Colts Hire Eagles OC Frank Reich As Head Coach
If Reich leaves as expected, Pederson likely would consider promoting running backs coach Duce Staley to offensive coordinator. Luck may still be on the mend from his shoulder injury, but landing Reich would be an outstanding hire for the Colts to make.
Teenage snowboarder wins America's first gold medal at Pyeongchang 2018
Parrot fell in his first two runs but nailed his third to bump McMorris out of the silver medal position with a score of 86.00. The top five highest-scoring teams from the short programs advanced to the free program round.
Nvidia Crushes Fourth-Quarter Sales, Earnings Targets, Guides Higher
California-based Clifford Swan Inv Counsel Limited Liability Corporation has invested 0.01% in NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA ). Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 30,762 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,623,220.98.
Kim Yo-jong meets South Korean president in Seoul as thaw continues
As a sign of her status, the elder Kim Yong Nam offered her the seat of honor at the airport meeting, but she politely declined. North Korea, which has been playing in world championships since 1999, is ranked just three spots below the South.