U.S. Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo had his senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.
And Pompeo said he was still firm in not loosening sanctions on Pyongyang until North Korea takes steps toward denuclearization,... but added he is hopeful that it could be achieved through diplomacy
Lee Ji-won has more.
Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo said North Korea should not expect rewards from talks with the United States until steps toward "irreversible" denuclearization are taken.
At his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Pompeo, who is currently serving as CIA director, said U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration will make sure not to repeat past mistakes regarding North Korea,... suggesting Washington will maintain maximum pressure and sanctions until Pyongyang takes "irreversible", permanent steps to denuclearize.
He also added that he is not optimistic that North Korea will agree to dismantle its nuclear program,... and that in the past negotiations, the U.S. and the world had eased sanctions too quickly.
However unlike what many had widely viewed before, Pompeo said he is not advocating regime change in North Korea.
And the hawkish hardliner also added that though Pyongyang's denuclearization is a tall order, he is hopeful that Trump can achieve it through "sound diplomacy".
On the same day, President Trump said meetings are being set up right now between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and that he thinks it will be "terrific".
Adding that his team will be going in with a lot of respect, Trump said they'll see what happens.
He also thanked China for its help in trying to set up a meeting with Kim to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue.
The leaders of North Korea and U.S. are to have their historic first ever bilateral summit in May or early June.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
