USA: Sanctions on North Korea Will Be Lifted After Dismantling Nuclear Weapons

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department responded to recent statements from North Korean officials indicating that ongoing sanctions could halt negotiations between the two countries, stating that sanctions will be lifted only after North Korea denuclearizes. During a press conference on Tuesday, December 18, U.S. reporters inquired about the negotiation process with North Korea and the outcomes from the leaders' meeting in Singapore last spring. Robert Palladino, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, mentioned that communications between the two sides remain ongoing and that 'the United States still believes that the commitments made by President [Donald] Trump and [North Korean] General Secretary Kim [Jong-un] in Singapore will come to fruition.' Palladino referred to the agreement between the U.S. and North Korean leaders to move towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, since last spring, there have been less optimistic reports regarding Pyongyang's actions and intentions regarding its nuclear and missile capabilities. North Korean officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with the continued sanctions and the current deadlock in signing a peace treaty between the two Koreas and other issues. Palladino stated, 'President Trump has clearly indicated that the lifting of sanctions will occur after denuclearization. The sooner North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons, the sooner the sanctions will be lifted.' The spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether there would be a new meeting between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean leaders. A new meeting was supposed to take place in Pyongyang, but it was canceled, with South Korea's Foreign Minister stating that North Korea had called off the meeting. Nevertheless, Trump mentioned that he and Kim Jong-un are likely to meet again face-to-face early next year. On Sunday, December 16, North Korea warned that the denuclearization process could be halted indefinitely in response to new U.S. sanctions and continued pressure on Pyongyang. South Korea's state news agency reported that recent reports indicate North Korea has continued its illegal oil imports 'ship-to-ship' and 'developing its missile arsenal' over the past months. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. State Department, its special representative for North Korea will soon visit South Korea. Part of the discussions will relate to 'inter-Korean cooperation projects.' Reports indicate that South Korea aims to pursue projects to enhance relations and cooperation with the North without violating existing international sanctions.