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Now, a sign the U.S. is trying to improve ties with the North ahead of the summit.
Washington has reportedly decided not to impose new sanctions on the regime just yet -- measures that had been prepared in response to the North's recent angry rhetoric.
Oh Soo-young reports.
The Trump administration has decided to hold off on additional sanctions against North Korea.
Citing U.S. government officials, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Washington will indefinitely shelve the planned extra measures against the North while the two sides hold talks to prepare for their upcoming summit.
The report says officials had been ready to unveil the additional measures as early as Tuesday, targeting further sources of income for the cash-starved Kim Jong-un regime.
The sanctions are believed to have included expelling North Korean laborers from foreign countries, as well as targeting Russian and Chinese entities with ties to the regime.
Such measures were being prepared in response to the recent aggressive rhetoric from Pyongyang officials which caused the U.S. leader to call off the summit.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the policy of maximum pressure against North Korea would continue, in order to squeeze its economy.
Washington's most recent round of sanctions in February targeted the North's illegal maritime trade and a global network of businesses that generate cash for the regime.
However, with summit preparations between the two sides seemingly back on track, it seems Washington is aiming to maintain the progress on repairing their relations.
In recent weeks, top officials have promised Pyongyang economic prosperity and U.S. private investment should it fully denuclearize.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
