On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that the sanctions imposed on North Korea will remain in place until a deal is closed with Pyongyang over abandoning its nuclear desires.
In a tweet, Trump mentioned that Kim Jong Un is in discussions with South Korean officials to denuclearize and that the country would not conduct missile tests during talks.
“Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!” Trump tweeted.
According to the stance of Trump’s administration, U.S. will be maintaining ‘maximum pressure’ on North Korea to end its nuclear program ahead of Trump’s meeting with the country’s leader.
The North Korean leader requested to meet President Trump to which the White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders replied that, the President “will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong Un at a place and time to be determined.”
“We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain,” she added.
On Thursday night, the national security adviser of South Korea, Chung Eui-Yong, made an announcement that President Trump has finally agreed to meet the North Korean leader before May. The only requirement is to to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
“Kim Jong Un said that he’s committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea would refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests,” Chung told the reporters. He further added that the North Korean leader has expressed ‘eagerness’ to meet with Trump.
It is not like Trump administration does not want to meet and hold talks with North Korea. However, they have stressed on the fact that Pyongyang must abandon its nuclear program whatsoever. Last month, President announced additional sanctions to impose on North Korea which targeted the fuel supply of the country.
In recent news, White House announced that the President and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a detailed discussion over a phone call to discuss ongoing efforts to get North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.
“President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s invitation signals his desire to give the North Korean people a brighter future,” White House press secretary concluded.
