Trump says 'meaningful' steps need to be taken to lift sanctions, amid hinting more summits with Kim Jong-un ahead

2019-02-21 2

Our top story this morning...
U.S. President Donald Trump says next week's summit in Hanoi with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might not be his last face-to-face meeting with Kim.
However, he's stressing the regime has to do something "meaningful" if it wants the weight of sanctions lifted off its shoulders.
Lee Ji-won has more.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again stressed that he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have a "very good relationship," but that sanctions will be in place until more is done.

"The sanctions are on in full. As you know, I haven't taken sanctions off. I'd love to be able to, but in order to do that, we have to do something that’s meaningful on the other side."

This comes as President Trump fielded questions from reporters at the White House prior to his bilateral talks with Austria's Chancellor on Wednesday.
And as if to further lure North Korea into taking that "meaningful" step, President Trump also reiterated the potential he sees in North Korea's economy.

While stressing that he'll be meeting with Kim Jong-un for two days this time, President Trump hinted on the likelihood of having more summits with Kim.

"But we've made a lot of progress. We've made a tremendous amount. That doesn't mean this is going to be the last meeting, because I don't believe it will. But we have subjects to discuss which will be very fruitful, I believe."

This comes in line with President Trump saying that he is in no rush over North Korea's denuclearization on Tuesday.
He said he doesn't have any pressing time schedule and that as long as there is no nuclear testing, he is in no hurry.

These remarks add to speculation that Trump is trying to lower expectations about the upcoming summit,... with no complete denuclearization deal reached this time as well.

Some observers suggest the meeting could first settle on a nuclear freeze for now.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.