Pompeo: ‘Easing of sanctions, peace regime to be talked at Hanoi summit’

The U.S. Secretary of State suggested the possibility to include a peace regime including the declaration of the end of the Korean War, and the security guarantee issue in the agenda ahead of the second U.S.-North Korea summit, as its bargaining chip of possible measures corresponding to Pyongyang’s denuclearization.

“Our entire intention is to bring good results in return for easing sanctions,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview with CBS News on Wednesday to express expectations. He thus indicated that Washington is considering easing of sanctions corresponding to Pyongyang’s denuclearization in the second summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pompeo also said that it is up to Chairman Kim Jong Un who makes bold decision, adding that he has been telling us as such (denuclearization), and it is time he kept his promise.

In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Pompeo again said, “Remember we not only discussed denuclearization, but we talked about creating security mechanisms, peace mechanisms on the Korean Peninsula.” He thus suggested that Washington could add issues related to a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula as well as the North’s denuclearization to the agenda during the upcoming Trump-Kim summit.


Yong Park parky@donga.com