US VP to Hold Talks with S.Korea's Acting President

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U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will hold talks with S.Korea's Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn Monday over the bilateral security alliance and N.Korea's escalating nuclear sabre-rattling, Seoul officials said.

The meeting will begin at 1:30 pm at Hwang's official residence in Seoul, followed by a press conference where they will issue a joint statement expected to carry the ally's stern warning against possible provocations by Pyongyang, such as a nuclear test.

Before his talks with Hwang, Pence was set to visit the DMZ, a 4-kilometre-wide buffer zone bisecting the peninsula.  The DMZ is one of the most telling vestiges of inter-Korean division and tensions.

During their meeting, Hwang and Pence are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in pressuring the North into changing tacts towards denuclearization through sanctions and diplomacy.

Pence is also likely to explain to Hwang the Trump's administration's N.Korea policy.  Wahsington has reportedly decided to focus on "maximun pressure and engagement " to induce the North to denuclearize.

The Trump government is seen favouring a more aggressive approach to the North as it has claimed an end to its predecessor's policy of so-called "strategic patience," which critics say has failed to prevent the North from furthering its nuclear program.

During their talks, Hwang and Pence are also expected to reaffirm their agreement to install a US missile defense battery in S.Korea and call on Beijing to stop its economic retaliation against S.Korea.