Mike Pompeo confirmed as secretary of state

Mike Pompeo confirmed as secretary of state. April. 28, 2018 07:42. by Yong Park parky@donga.com.
Mike Pompeo, one of the closest allies of President Trump and a “hawk” on North Korea, has been confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of State and has started his official duties. The preparations for the upcoming North Korea-U.S. summit meeting are expected to accelerate as well.

The Senate confirmed Mike Pompeo, President Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, on Thursday (local time) in a 57-42 vote. Trump said in a statement that he is pleased by the Senate’s confirmation and that Pompeo “will always put the interests of America first,” and he has his full trust and support. Hours after being sworn in, Pompeo headed to NATO headquarters in Brussels and will travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Jordan until April 30, according to State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

Hours after the confirmation, the White House released two photos of Pompeo’s meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over Easter weekend (March 31- April 1). There are many interpretations as to why it released the photos right before the summit meeting between the two Koreas. Some say the intention by the White House is to emphasize that the summit meeting between the two Koreas is only a stepping stone to the North Korea-U.S. summit meeting and to support Trump’s top diplomat.