Pompeo Says the U.S. Wants to Continue Negotiations with North Korea

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated on Friday, March 15, in Washington, that the country is willing to continue negotiations with North Korea and "expects" its leader to remain committed to not resuming nuclear and missile tests. This comes as reports indicate that North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister has said that if Washington does not make concessions, Pyongyang may suspend negotiations with the U.S. and resume nuclear and missile tests. News agencies TASS and Associated Press reported that Choe Son-hui, North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister, held senior U.S. officials responsible for the failure of last month's summit between the two countries' leaders. In a press conference in Pyongyang, she stated: "We do not intend to yield to the demands of the U.S. (at the Hanoi summit) and do not wish to participate in such negotiations." The North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister further added that Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, have created an atmosphere of distrust and hostility, thereby obstructing constructive actions for negotiations between the leaders of the two countries. TASS reported that Ms. Choe stated that Kim Jong-un will soon issue an official statement regarding nuclear negotiations with the U.S. and North Korea's next steps. The North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister said that Washington missed a golden opportunity at this summit and warned that the country's leader might reconsider the suspension of nuclear and missile tests. She added: "I want to clearly state that the gangster-like positions of the U.S. will ultimately jeopardize the situation. The personal relations between the two leaders are still good, and their understanding is mysteriously very excellent." John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, stated on Friday that he has heard the senior North Korean official's comments and finds them "inaccurate." Mr. Bolton added that he has spoken with his South Korean counterpart and prefers to consult with other senior officials in the U.S. government before making further comments on this matter. Mike Pompeo also said on Friday that this is not the first time North Korean officials have described his actions as "gangster-like." The U.S. Secretary of State added: "Given that our contacts have been entirely professional, my prediction is that we will be able to continue these discussions." Mr. Pompeo stated that he has heard the remarks of the North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister and that these remarks have left the door open for continuing negotiations. The U.S. Secretary of State added that during the Hanoi summit, the North Korean leader repeatedly assured Donald Trump that they would not resume nuclear and missile tests. He continued: "These are the words of the North Korean leader, and our expectation and prediction is that he will adhere to his commitments." The second summit between North Korean and U.S. leaders in Hanoi failed due to disagreements over the country's denuclearization in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Ms. Choe had also stated after the summit that due to the U.S. refusal to lift some sanctions in exchange for dismantling the country's nuclear facilities, the North Korean leader might abandon his commitments. Meanwhile, the Chinese Prime Minister called for restraint from both countries and the continuation of negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea.