Ivanka Trump has had no interaction with North Korean officials during her visit to South Korea, a White House official says, amid keen interest in whether the two sides will resume dialogue.
Ivanka, daughter and "adviser" to US President Donald Trump, led the US delegation to the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics the same day.
She was seated close to the North Korean delegation, led by senior ruling party official Kim Yong-chol.
"There was no interaction with the North Korean delegation," the senior White House official said in a statement, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"The US Presidential delegation's attendance at the closing ceremonies was the culmination of a successful trip where we celebrated the Olympic Games, US athletes and our strong alliance with South Korea."
Trump and the rest of the delegation congratulated South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook on "an incredible Olympic Games and applauded throughout the ceremonies including for the US and South Korean athletes," the senior White House official said.
Earlier, American freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy questioned what the first daughter was doing at the closing ceremony.
Kenworthy tweeted a photo of his teammates and said: "So proud of all these people! Everybody here has worked so hard to make it to the Olympics and have the opportunity to walk in the closing ceremony! Well... Everyone except Ivanka."
He then used an abbreviated profanity in asking why she was there.
Ivanka is scheduled to depart South Korea on Monday morning, local time, and return to Washington Monday morning, local time.
- With AP
