Pompeo: No Sanctions Relief for Pyongyang Until After Denuclearization

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pushed back against North Korean state media claims about the White House offering sanctions relief, saying Thursday that any concessions will be made only after denuclearization. Speaking at a press briefing with Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers in Seoul, Pompeo said President Trump was “incredibly clear” with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un about U.S. demands. “We’re going to get denuclearization,” Pompeo said, “and only then will there be relief from sanctions.” Despite concerns over Trump’s abrupt change of tone on Kim, Pompeo said the president’s recent comments on North Korea have been made “with eyes wide open.” Trump left many shocked following his meeting with Kim in Singapore this week by praising the dictator and shrugging off his numerous alleged human-rights abuses.