WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- A senior U.S. diplomat said here Wednesday that the United States has full confidence in South Korea to host a successful and safe Winter Olympics, and "all contingencies have been addressed" regarding security concerns over the event.
Mike Evanoff, assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security, told media in a press briefing that the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) has been planning for the Olympics for nearly two years, and coordinating closely with South Korean security department and PyeongChang Organization Committee to ensure the security of the U.S. athletes and spectators during the sports event.
"We have no specific threats right now," he said. "We are excited to participate in the Winter Games ... We are very confident that they will be safe and secure."
Evanoff added that the U.S. side has planned for all contingencies."
"It's really no different how we set the gamebook or the playbook of protecting our athletes or working with the host country," he added.
The U.S. officials said there will roughly be 275 U.S. athletes and 60,000 citizens that may be participating as spectators in the Games.
Steven Goldstein, under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, announced in the briefing that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife will lead the U.S. presidential delegation to the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Games.
In addition to meeting with and cheering on the U.S. athletes, Pence will also meet with South Korean officials during his stay.
