North Korea on Thursday ruled out any official meeting with the US during the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics slated to begin in South Korea from Friday.

Pyongyang’s official Rodong Sinmun daily quoted an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that North Korea never begs for dialogue with the US and it does not have any intention to hold meetings with American officials during the Games, reports Xinhua news agency.

The official also brushed off remarks made by US Vice President Mike Pence about the possibility of meetings between the two sides, calling them “ridiculous”.

He said the visit by the high-level North Korean delegation to South Korea is solely for the purpose of the Olympics and was not politically motivated.

North Korea is sending a 22-member high-level delegation to the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday.

Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and Kim Yong-nam, its top legislator, are among the delegation.

Pence will also participate in the opening ceremony.