US President Donald Trump will not meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unless Pyongyang takes “concrete actions,” the White House said.
“The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a news briefing.
Trump tweeted, “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 shocked the international community and analysts when he expressed on Thursday his intention to meet Kim Jong Un without any conditions.
“The United States has made zero concessions. But North Korea has made some promises. They’ve promised to denuclearize, they’ve promised to stop nuclear and missile testing, and they’ve recognized that we’re going to continue in our military exercises,”said Sanders.
US vice president Mike Pence said on Friday that the strategy of isolating North Korea is fruitful, stressing that these sanctions will remain until North Korea takes concrete steps.
Bill Richardson, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, said “I was flabbergasted. But I think it’s a risk worth taking. But I’m very concerned that the president and his team will not be ready, will not be prepared for some very tough negotiations.”
“Our goal should be denuclearization, but I don't believe it's realistic. Curbs and freezes on North Korea's nuclear, ballistic and conventional forces should be pushed extremely hard,” Richardson added. It's a bold move, but this isn't reality television – get a team and a strategy, he said.
