Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "Whatever Happens in North Korea, Our Goal Is 'Final and Complete Denuclearization'"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated on the 30th (local time) regarding rumors about North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's health issues, "Whatever happens in North Korea, the Trump administration's goal is 'final and complete denuclearization.'"

According to the transcript released by the U.S. State Department on the same day, Secretary Pompeo said in an interview with Fox News the previous day, when asked, "Is there anything you want to add about what we know or do not know about Kim Jong-un at this point?" "No. There is not much to add there."

Secretary Pompeo continued, "However, the American people should simply know that whatever is happening there, whatever is going on, President Donald Trump and our administration remain committed to the very same goal we embarked on: a 'final and fully denuclearized North Korea.'"

He also added, "This is what President Trump and Chairman Kim started just over two months ago in Singapore."

Referring to the North Korea-U.S. summit held in Singapore on June 12, 2018, it appears he mistakenly mentioned the timing as "just over two months ago."

On the same day, through an interview with Fox and a State Department press conference in the morning, Secretary Pompeo expressed caution regarding Chairman Kim's whereabouts, saying, "There is not much to add to what the President said. We have not seen him," and "There is no information to report today."

In that interview, he said, "We are closely monitoring," and "We are continuing to track not only Chairman Kim himself but also more broadly what is happening inside North Korea," while also raising the possibility of famine in North Korea.

Earlier, in an interview with Fox News on the 22nd, Secretary Pompeo reiterated the principled stance reaffirming the denuclearization goal amid the rumors about Chairman Kim's health, stating, "Whoever leads North Korea, our goals and tasks will not change. They must denuclearize."

Meanwhile, regarding rumors about Chairman Kim's health, President Trump said on the 27th, when asked, "Is there any new information about Kim Jong-un's health?" "I know very well. I have a relatively good idea of how he is doing. You will probably hear about it in the near future," but on the following day, the 28th, when asked a follow-up question, he returned to a cautious mode, saying, "I don't want to comment on that. I just hope he is well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.