Let's begin with the latest developments regarding North Korea.... with a packed diplomatic calendar on the horizon.
The top diplomat in the Trump administration has stated that the United States is willing to lift sanctions on North Korea and let private sector money flow in... providing the North meets its demands on a full and irreversible denuclearization.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo,... who recently returned from his second trip to Pyongyang,... says the U.S. will allow the American private sector to invest in North Korea,... but only if the regime agrees to fully dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
"I am confident, that says if you do the things we need to do so that America is no longer held at risk by your nuclear weapons arsenal, and that you get rid of your CBW program and missiles that threaten the world, we will ensure that your people have the opportunity for the greatness that I know Chairman Kim wants them to have"
In an interview with CBS News on Sunday,... Pompeo added North Korea would get much-needed energy assistance from private capital,... speculating that -- one day -- the North may even rival the economic prosperity of the South.
" They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy support, electricity for their people they are there in great need of agricultural equipment and technology. The finest from the Midwest that I come from. We can deliver that. And as I said earlier this week, we can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South"
Pompeo's remarks come despite the Trump administration's previous emphasis on not following the paths of past U.S. governments that offered economic aid to Pyongyang,... in return for incremental steps to end its nuclear program.
However,... Pompeo insists the model used by the Trump administration is "fundamentally different",... and they are hopeful the outcome will be "fundamentally different", as well.
Will such a massive change be seen in a country long known as the hermit kingdom?
Most experts believe it's too early to say, but we may be closer to having an answer to that question after the North Korea-U.S. summit that's set for June 12th in Singapore.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
