There was a poignant and telling moment in the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

The last country to enter the stadium was a combined team of North and South Korean athletes, a symbolic gesture to say the least.

It appeared that all athletes and spectators stood up in homage to the moment.

But U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife remained seated.

Was this his choice, or had he been directed by his president to remain unmoved?

In any case, it seemed an odd moment of disrespect and an unfortunate commentary on American isolationism.