Bolton: North Korea Has Not Yet Taken Necessary Steps for Denuclearization

The National Security Advisor to the President of the United States says that despite agreements between Trump and the North Korean leader in June, Pyongyang has not yet taken the necessary steps for denuclearization. John Bolton stated on August 7 to Fox News, "We do not need more rhetoric... What we need is action from North Korea for denuclearization." He also mentioned that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is ready to return to North Korea for another meeting with Kim Jong-un, the leader of that country. Pompeo himself has not yet reacted, but a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that there is currently no plan for a trip to North Korea in this timeframe. Heather Nauert told reporters that during Secretary of State Pompeo's meeting with senior officials from ASEAN member countries at a recent meeting in Singapore, "many countries" expressed satisfaction with U.S. efforts to bring Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table. Nauert stated that the June meeting between Donald Trump and Kim was "an extraordinary and very significant step from where we were a year ago." On the other hand, John Bolton told Fox that the U.S. is committed to the June declaration in Singapore: "It is only North Korea that has not taken the steps that we believe are necessary to move towards denuclearization." Bolton emphasized that no decision has yet been made regarding the suspension or cessation of sanctions against Pyongyang. The recent statements from U.S. officials come after criticisms from Ri Yong-ho, the North Korean Foreign Minister, directed at the United States. Ri criticized the continuation of sanctions and the lack of response to Pyongyang's request for an official end to the Korean War. The Korean War ended in 1953 with a ceasefire, and the two countries have yet to reach a peace treaty. On Tuesday, the group "38 North," a major observer of North Korean activities, stated that it appears North Korea has continued its efforts to shut down its rocket engine testing facilities. According to this group, part of the missile launchers has also been detached, but it is unclear whether this action is aimed at dismantling the facilities or for making repairs or modifications.