Could direct talks between the U.S. and North Korea be on the horizon?<br />U.S. Vice President Mike Pence -- fresh from his trip to South Korea for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics -- has reportedly said Washington is open to dialogue with North Korea.<br />Park Soyun reports. <br /> The U.S. government is said to be willing to sit down for talks with North Korea.<br />The opportunity was reached after an understanding between the White House and President Moon Jae-in during U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's visit for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.<br />Pence said South Korea and the U.S. agreed to further engage in talks with North Korea, possibly following inter-Korean talks.<br />The U.S. will continue its policy of maximum pressure and continue to impose harsh sanctions on North Korea, but at the same time be open to talks without preconditions. <br /> Pence told the Washington Post that South Korea and the U.S. will pursue a policy of "maximum pressure and engagement at the same time."<br />This marks an important change from the previous U.S. stance, which was focused mainly on maximum pressure and confirming Pyongyang's determination for denuclearization.<br />Pence added the pressure campaign will intensify but the Trump administration is open to talks if the regime shows a willingness to do so.<br /> U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday that it's too early to judge whether the latest developments represent the start of a new diplomatic process.<br />Speaking in Cairo on Monday,... Tillerson added it's "up to North Korea" to decide the time to engage in meaningful and serious talks with the U.S.<br /><br />"It's too early to judge. As we have said for some time, it's really up to the North Koreans to decide when they are ready to engage with us in a sincere way, a meaningful way. They know what has to be on the table for conversations. We've said for some time that I think it's important that we have... we are going to need to have some discussions that precede any form of negotiation."<br /><br /> During his recent trip to Northeast Asia, Pence announced that the U.S. would soon unveil its toughest ever sanctions on North Korea that may include maritime interdiction and a naval blockade.<br /> With the apparent shift in U.S. policy, watchers are hopeful for a significant breakthrough in bringing peace to the Korean peninsula.<br />Park So-yun, Arirang News. <br />
