US Secretary of State says negotiations are underway with North Korea

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described his latest talks with South Korean officials as productive. He met with his counterpart, the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and South Korea in Tokyo on Sunday before continuing his trip to Vietnam.

Pyongyang is the first leg of Pompeo's first world tour as Foreign Minister. After Asia, he has to travel to the United Arab Emirates before traveling to Belgium, where he will accompany President Donald Trump to the NATO summit in Brussels.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that North Korea had reaffirmed its commitment to dismantle its nuclear program during last week's talks in Pyongyang. According to Pompeo, during the meeting, there was a detailed and substantial discussion of the next steps towards a complete and fully verifiable denuclearization.

Pompeo argued that "the most important thing is what North Korea understands and the demands of the world in North Korea. And there is clearly an examination of the meaning of denuclearization for North Korea. I was very clear with them. "

North Korean media quoted an unidentified official saying that the US was wrong to expect North Korea to respond to his demands." But Pompeo said he There was progress in his talks with North Korean officials.

He said: "North Korea has agreed to meet in mid-July in Panmunjom to discuss the repatriation of the remains of US troops. North Korea has also reaffirmed its commitment to destroy the site of its missile tests, which will make the region and the world safer. "

While recognizing that the road to resolve the denuclearization of North Korea would be difficult the US government has made little or no progress in negotiations with North Korea.

Pompeo Minister of Foreign Affairs , added: "We know that critics will try to minimize the results we have achieved. But our allies, like South Korea and Japan, President Trump and I believe that peace deserves to be pursued.

The Foreign Minister of Japan and South Korea praised Pompeo's efforts and pledged full support for their country.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa said: "The unwavering commitment of our three countries to a common goal of complete denuclearization.

The three ministers also stated that international sanctions against North Korea would not be relaxed until denuclearization was complete and verified.

We confirmed that the international community would continue to fully implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. United Nations Security Council

Last week's meeting was the first between Pompeo and North Korean officials after the historic summit on June 12 between the US president and the North Korean leader. [uh/ab]