Pence may encounter North Korea's ceremonial head at Olympic reception

US Vice President Mike Pence may encounter North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam on Friday as both will attend a reception in honour of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics hosted by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The dinner meeting will be held in Yongpyeong, just east of PyeongChang, hours before the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, Yonhap News Agency quoted officials from the presidential office as saying.

It will involve 200 other dignitaries, including nearly two dozen global leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a ranking official of the Communist Party of China.

It remains to be seen whether Pence and Kim will hold a meaningful conversation.

The North said on Thursday its delegates to the Olympic Games had no intention of meeting their US counterparts while in South Korea.

The Pence arrived here on Thursday, while Kim and other North Korean delegates, including leader Kim Jong-un's younger sister, Yo-jong, will arrive later on Friday.

The Games will continue until February 25.