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U.S. President Donald Trump has slapped down talk of applying the "Libyan model" to the denuclearization of North Korea.
His comments at the White House on Thursday contradict those made by his national security adviser in recent days.
Possibly hoping to cool the slight uptick in tensions over John Bolton's remarks,... Trump also reassured Kim Jong-un that he would remain North Korean leader if he gave up his nuclear weapons.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out the so-called 'Libya model' for dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program,... instead offering strong security guarantees to Pyongyang in return for its denuclearization.
He pledged that the U.S. would grant the North such a guarantee if a satisfactory deal is struck.
"But the model, if you look at that model with Gaddafi, that was a total decimation. We went in there to beat him. Now that model would take place if we don't make a deal, most likely. But if we make a deal, I think Kim Jong Un is going to be very, very happy."
The Libyan model, which has been pushed on U.S. news networks by President Trump's National Security Adviser, John Bolton,... calls for a quick dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear program with no guarantee of benefits to the regime in the process.
Pushing back against Bolton's remarks,... Trump insisted protection for Kim and his regime would be very strong if the regime fully denuclearizes.
"We're willing to do a lot. And he's willing to, I think, do a lot also. And I think we'll actually have a good relationship, assuming we have the meeting and assuming something comes of it. And he'll get protections that will be very strong."
With all signs pointing to Bolton's mentioning of the 'Libya model' being the reason behind North Korea's recent 180-degree turn,... the White House has been stressing that's not the model they are incorporating,... saying instead a "President Trump model" will be used.
Will Trump's security guarantee be enough to ensure North Korea falls back in line?
With the North Korea-U.S. summit set for June 12th in Singapore,... the U.S. and South Korea certainly hope it will be.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
