eFM News

[Anchor]

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration is still aiming for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea.

Pompeo also told reporters in Seoul today that Kim Jong-un understands that denuclearization must happen quickly while warning there will be no sanctions relief until that process is complete.

Ron Chang reports.

[Reporter]

After meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, Pompeo said the trilateral cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo will be "crucial to the effectiveness" of the denuclearization process.

[Clip - Pompeo]
"As the president said, this will be a process and not an easy one. Staying close to the alliance with our allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan will be critical in the success of that outcome. "

Pompeo noted that Tuesday's Trump-Kim summit marks a turning point in Washington-Pyongyang relations.

Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono also expressed hope towards North Korea's promise to denuclearize.

[Clip - Kono]
"This is only the beginning of a challenging yet significant process to achieve our common goal - peace and stability in the region and beyond."

Seoul's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, meanwhile, said the issue of possibly suspending joint military drills with the U.S. was not covered much during her talks with Pompeo and Kono.

She said it's an alliance issue, adding it is being discussed by military officials from both sides.

After his meeting with the North Korean leader, Trump announced plans to scrap the so-called "war games," calling them provocative and expensive.

Ron Chang, eFM News.■