A visiting US senator mentioned two keywords: alliance and denuclearization, expressing support for South Korea's talks with the North.
"I think it's important to allow diplomatic talks to continue, but those talks cannot be successful if there is not a strong, ironclad alliance between our two militaries," Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) told reporters.
She was speaking after meeting with Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the defense ministry compound in Seoul, with working-level negotiations under way between the two Koreas on the North's plan to send an art troupe to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which are set to be held next month.
Duckworth, a decorated veteran of the Iraq War, said North Korea's overture may bode well for diplomacy on its nuclear and missile program.
"I think that the participation of the North Korean athletes is a positive sign," she said, flanked by Jeong and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), another U.S. war veteran.