FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
Secretary Pompeo in North Korea Upbeat about Kim-Trump Summit
May 9, 2018 (EIRNS)—In his meetings in North Korea with leader Kim Jong-un and other high-level officials, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed optimism that a successful summit between President Trump and Kim is possible, and that beyond the issue of denuclearization, the potential for broader cooperation exists.
Pompeo told reporters that the purpose of his trip was “to put into place a framework for a successful summit.” In returning to the U.S. today, Pompeo told reporters that the summit with Kim will last one day, but that “if there is more to discuss,” it will extend into a second day.
Today, Trump said that the time and place of the summit will be announced in three days.
Yesterday, in announcing that Pompeo was on his way to Pyongyang, President Trump reported that “plans are being made, relationships are building, hopefully a deal will happen, and with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone.”
Pompeo met with Kim Jong-un for about 90 minutes, and then also met with Gen. Kim Yong-choi, of the United Front Department in charge of inter-Korean relations. He told Kim Jong-un that
“for decades we’ve been adversaries. Now we are hopeful that we can work together to resolve this conflict, take away the threats to the world and make your country have all the opportunities you so richly deserve.”
Kim responded that he had “high expectations the U.S. will play a very big role in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula,” to which Pompeo responded, that the U.S. “is equally committed to working with you on exactly [that].”
General Kim told Pompeo over lunch yesterday that détente on the Peninsula wasn’t the result of U.S. sanctions and pressure, but rather, “was the will of the Korean people.” He emphasized that now, since Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal is complete, the focus would be on economic development. Pompeo described General Kim as “a great partner” in preparing for the summit, but had cautioned earlier that there would be no let-up in sanctions.
As a sign of good will, North Korea has released three Americans who had been detained in the country for some time, and who will return to the U.S. with Pompeo. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said today that President Trump “appreciates leader Kim Jong-un’s action to release these American citizens and views this as a positive gesture of good will.”
