Arirang News December 15, 2018: denuclearization talks between Pyeongyang and Washington. Talks between the two appear to have stalled, but U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday once again reiterated that the U.S. is in no hurry over negotiations with North Korea, and also expressed faith in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a negotiating partner.
Arirang News Kan Hyeong-woo reported thatIn his latest tweet that directly mentions Kim Jong-un, President Trump said
many people have asked him how the U.S. is doing in its negotiations with North Korea on the denuclearization issue. His answer is that the U.S. is in no hurry.
He also said that North Korea has "wonderful potential for great economic success" and that Kim Jong-un sees it better than anyone and will take full advantage of it for his people.
Trump added that the U.S. and North Korea are doing just fine.
His message can be seen as showing people that the agreements signed at the Singapore summit in June are still valid and the two sides will continue to work towards carrying out those promises.
At the same time, Trump could be using the message to call for concrete action from North Korea. He said "we are in no hurry" when asked about the negotiations with Pyeongyang. This could be interpreted as suggesting the U.S. is in no rush as the sanctions put on North Korea will stay as they are.
But by saying North Korea has great potential for economic success, Trump showed his willingness to guarantee the security of the current regime.
As Trump's comments came at a time when talks between Pyeongyang and Washington do not seem to be making much progress, it remains to be seen whether they will actually lead to further talks between the two sides.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News
Meanwhile, Arirang Park Hee-jun, reported on December 13, 2018 that the Two Koreas to hold groundbreaking ceremony for railway, road project on Dec. 26
South and North Korea have agreed on a date to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for work to connect their railways and roads.
As it turns out, it will happen before the end of the year, as agreed by the leaders of thre two Korea in their September summit in Pyeongyang.
Park Hee-jun reports.
South and North Korea have agreed to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for their joint project to modernize and connect their railways and roads... on December 26th.
And it will take place at the North's Panmun Station, within the border village of Gaeseong.
This comes after the two sides held working-level talks on Thursday at the joint liaison office in Gaeseong.
And according to Seoul's Unification Ministry, it's been decided that around one hundred people from each side will attend the ceremony.
"South and North Korea held talks today about the ceremony to start work on connecting railways and roads along the Gyeongui line and the Donghae line. We agreed to hold the ceremony on Wednesday, December 26th, at Panmun Station."
The ceremony will mark the official start of the two Koreas' joint transportation project.
The leaders of the two Koreas agreed at their Pyeongyang Summit in September,... to break ground on interconnected railways and roads within the year.
To make it happen, the two sides have been inspecting the North's railways since earlier this month.
They also completed a joint survey of roads along the western side of the peninsula, but have yet to fix a schedule for inspecting the ones in the east.
The ministry says the ceremony will show the two Koreas’ strong determination to push ahead with the project.
But there's still the question of whether the ceremony would violate U.S.-led sanctions.
If it would violate them, then Seoul will have to seek a sanctions waiver from Washington.
The South Korean government will continue to work with the U.S. to go ahead with the event in a way that does not raise concerns from the international community.
South and North Korea have agreed on a date to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for work to connect their railways and roads.
As it turns out, it will happen before the end of the year, as agreed by the leaders of thre two Korea in their September summit in Pyeongyang.
Park Hee-jun reports.
South and North Korea have agreed to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for their joint project to modernize and connect their railways and roads... on December 26th.
And it will take place at the North's Panmun Station, within the border village of Gaeseong.
This comes after the two sides held working-level talks on Thursday at the joint liaison office in Gaeseong.
And according to Seoul's Unification Ministry, it's been decided that around one hundred people from each side will attend the ceremony.
"South and North Korea held talks today about the ceremony to start work on connecting railways and roads along the Gyeongui line and the Donghae line. We agreed to hold the ceremony on Wednesday, December 26th, at Panmun Station."
The ceremony will mark the official start of the two Koreas' joint transportation project.
The leaders of the two Koreas agreed at their Pyeongyang Summit in September,... to break ground on interconnected railways and roads within the year.
To make it happen, the two sides have been inspecting the North's railways since earlier this month.
They also completed a joint survey of roads along the western side of the peninsula, but have yet to fix a schedule for inspecting the ones in the east.
The ministry says the ceremony will show the two Koreas’ strong determination to push ahead with the project.
But there's still the question of whether the ceremony would violate U.S.-led sanctions.
If it would violate them, then Seoul will have to seek a sanctions waiver from Washington.
The South Korean government will continue to work with the U.S. to go ahead with the event in a way that does not raise concerns from the international community.
Arirang News Dated December 12th, 2018, ROK Blue house Correspondent Shin Se-min Reported that it is unlikely now that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will be coming to Seoul by the end of the year. But the Blue House is keeping the door open for January.
Military teams from South and North Korea verify that both sides have removed the guard posts along the DMZ that they said they would take down. President Moon Jae-in says it's a landmark day for building trust and an example to the world.
Multiple local news outlets, citing anonymous officials at the top office, have also claimed that chances of Kim Jong-un coming south by year's end now seem slim.
A visit by the regime's supreme leader presents difficulties... believed to be related to security... and especially to the denuclearization talks with the U.S.
Plus it's already a busy month for Pyeongyang.
December 17th is the anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-un's father, the late former leader Kim Jong-il.
And the regime is believed to spend the last month of the year reviewing its accomplishments and prepping for the leader's New Year's speech.
In the meantime, Seoul has been in preparation mode, with a large mural still standing outside the Blue House showing the leaders of South and North holding hands.
With so much up in the air, President Moon, as host of what would be another historical event, has been reserved about it... seen as a signal to the North that the administration doesn't want to rush the regime.
At the same time, trying to keep things moving, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Kim's visit to Seoul could be a stepping stone for the highly-anticipated next summit between Pyeongyang and Washington -- indicating that it might come before that high-stakes meeting.
"With no confirmation yet from either side, the question remains what the timetable will look like in the weeks to come, with U.S. President Trump having already said that he plans on meeting North Korea's Kim Jong-un early next year.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News."
Sources: Arirang News, and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, December 12 Rev. December 16th, 2018
S. Korea's Blue House 'open to all possibilities' regarding visit by N. Korea's Kim Jong-un
Arirang News Dated Nov. 30th, 2018: Reporter Chris Whang reported that The nation's top office is open to all possibilities when it comes to a proposed visit to Seoul by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, nothing's decided yet.
Cheongwadae Spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom was responding to a news report that South Korea was trying to arrange to have the regime's leader visit from the 13th to the 14th of December, but that the North asked for a delay, citing security concerns.
Still, the spokesperson reaffirmed that such a visit was agreed in the Pyongyang Declaration in September, a commitment both sides are determined to fulfill.
It's likely the Moon administration will push for the encounter to take place before this year ends.
The issue is expected to be brought up when President Moon Jae-in meets with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina at 3:15 PM Friday, local time.
U.S. pushing to hold high-level talks with North Korea soon
According to Arirang News Park Hee-jun reported on November 23rd, 2018: All eyes are on when the high-level talks between North Korea and the U.S. will take place, after it was abruptly cancelled earlier this month.
The timing of the next summit between the leaders of both sides, hinges on this meeting.
Washington has been sending signals to bring the regime back to the negotiating table.
The U.S. has repeatedly made clear, its hopes to hold a second summit with North Korea early next year.
The two sides were originally set to hold high-level talks on November 8th, just after the U.S. midterm elections, to discuss the details of the summit as well as the North's denuclearization.
But it was postponed at Pyeongyang'srequest, citing a lack of preparations.
Numerous reports, quoting diplomatic sources, say Washington has been pushing to meet in New York early next week, taking into account President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's departure for the G20 summit on the 30th.
The U.S. has been sending signs to bring North Korea to the negotiating table.
It has expressed support for the joint study of the inter-Korean railway project, which requires a workaround to sanctions on the North.
Defense Secretary James Mattis also 'Foul Eagle' scheduled for next spring.
Should the North return to the nuclear talks, it would have to face the demands of an inventory of its nuclear capabilities and the shut down of its key nuclear facilities, which the regime has been putting off until the sanctions are lifted. But, the ball is now in North Korea's court.
It is unclear when it will respond to Washington's invitation, but time is running short to prepare for the next North Korea-U.S. summit.
A positive response will not only mean a green light for the Kim-Trump summit, but also for Chairman Kim's proposed visit to Seoul.
Arirang News also reported that North Korea needs to allow inspectors back in to monitor its nuclear program: IAEA chief.
Regarding the nuclear programme of North Korea, officially known as the DPRK, Mr Amano noted that the Pyongyang Declaration issued at the inter-Korean Summit meeting on 19 September made reference to the country’s intention to “continue to take additional measures, such as the permanent dismantlement of the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon.”At Yongbyon, further activities were observed near the Kuryong River but, without access, the IAEA cannot confirm their nature or purpose, he said. Agency inspectors were required to leave North Korea in 2009. “The Agency continues to enhance its readiness to play an essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned,” the Director General said.
Mr Amano called upon the DPRK “to comply fully with its obligations under relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and of the IAEA Board, to cooperate promptly with the Agency and to resolve all outstanding issues.”
The UN's nuclear watchdog says it has reason to believe that North Korea is still operating its main nuclear site in Yeongbyeon.However, the head of the agency says it needs to send inspectors into the North in order to verify their latest findings.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had access to North Korea and its nuclear sites since 2009, and has mainly monitored the regime's activities through satellite imagery.
But with reports saying North Korea may still be operating its main nuclear site in Yeongbyeon, the IAEA chief says on-the-ground inspections are needed in order to confirm the reports.
"We have observed the fabrication of reactor components and possible transfer of these components into the reactor. But as we do not have the inspectors on the ground we cannot determine the nature or objective of these activities."
Speaking in Vienna on Thursday, Amano reported on information the IAEA has been collecting since August. He said components appear to have been brought into a light-water reactor being built at the Yeongbyeon nuclear facility, indicating activity at the site.
Other reports indicate North Korea has continued work at the nearby KuryongRiver, in order to increase the supply of water available for cooling the planned reactor, or possibly an existing experimental reactor.
Amano reaffirmed the IAEA will do its part in making sure North Korea completely denuclearizes, as long as everyone involved works together.
"The agency continues to enhance its readiness to play an essential role in verifying North Korea's nuclear program if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned."
Despite the recent stall in denuclearization talks, Amano says IAEA inspectors continue to prepare for their possible re-admittance to the North.
----------------
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organisation on 29 July 1957. Though established independently of the United Nations through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute,the IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
The IAEA and its former Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on 7 October 2005. The IAEA's current Director General is Yukiya Amano.
IAEA Board of Governors Press Conference November 22nd
Mr Amano called upon the DPRK “to comply fully with its obligations under relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and of the IAEA Board, to cooperate promptly with the Agency and to resolve all outstanding issues.”
Face the Nation on May 27, 2018 Reporter's Notebook: Ben Tracy goes behind the scenes of North Korea's testing site
CBS News foreign correspondent Ben Tracy files a report from inside North Korea where he witnessed what the government claimed was the demolition of a nuclear testing site.
Guardian News on May 24, 2018: Huge explosions as North Korea 'destroys' nuclear test site, Kim Jong-un makes good on his promise to close his country's only known nuclear test site, detonating explosives and collapsing its entrances in front of international television crews in a highly symbolic move.
;
Sky's Asia Correspondent on May 25, 2018 Tom Chesire was the only British television journalist invited to see the demolition and closure of what North Korea says is its nuclear weapons test site in Punggye-ri without the presence of weapons inspectors or nuclear experts.
Media and the world know a few place have been distroyed for testing places but, The world wants verifiable, irreversable, and zeo nuclear tolerance for existing warheads. Trump Admnistration emphasize that they want to see fully verifiable, denuclearization of the DPRK, and longstanding commitment to our alliances and partnerships in the region.
According to NTI: North Korea's nuclear facilities span the complete nuclear fuel cycle, with most of these facilities concentrated in Yongbyon County, North Pyongan Province. This area contains a number of research and development institutes, as well as educational facilities to train the human resources to sustain North Korea's nuclear program, for both civilian and military purposes. The Yongbyon nuclear complex includes a small research reactor called the IRT-2000, a 5MW(e) gas-graphite moderated reactor, an unfinished 50MW(e) reactor, a spent fuel reprocessing facility, and multiple waste storage sites. However, the 5MW(e) reactor's cooling tower was destroyed in 2008 as part of the Six-party Talks disablement agreement, and a uranium enrichment facility and light water reactor have since been added. There is also an unfinished and abandoned 200MW(e) nuclear reactor in Taechon County, North Pyongan Province, but work on it was frozen under the Agreed Framework of October 1994. North Korea maintains a testing facility at Punggye-ri, where it tested nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, and 2013. Additionally, North Korea maintains multiple uranium mining and milling sites, as well as research and development facilities.
Ref: Wikipedia: NK: Aria size: 46,540 sq mi ( 120,540 km) (97th)
USA: Aria size: 3,796,742 sq mi (9,833,520 km2)[8] (3rd/4th)
North Korea is located in east Asia on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea shares a border with three countries; China along the Amnok River, Russia along the Tumen River, and South Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The Yellow Sea and the Korea Bay are off the west coast and the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) is off the east coast.
Most of North Korea is a series of medium-sized mountain ranges and large hills, separated by deep, narrow valleys. The highest peak, Paektu-san on the volcanic Baekdu Mountain, is located on its northern border with China, and rises 9,002 ft. (2,744 m). Along the west coast there are wide coastal plains, while along the Sea of Japan coastline (North Korea's lowest point at 0 m), narrow plains rise into mountains. Similar to South Korea, dozens of small islands dot the western coastline. North Korea's longest river is the Yulu (Yalu). Other large rivers include the Tumen, Taedong and Imjin.
Government, Unitaryone-party, socialist republic, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong-un
SPA Presidium, President, Kim Yong-nam represents North Korea internationally. The Presidency was written out of the constitution in 1998. Kim Il-sung, who died in 1994, was declared "eternal President" in its preamble, Kim Yong-nam
Premier, Pak Pong-ju
GDP (PPP), 2014 estimate: Total $40 billion, Per capita $1,800[8]
GDP (nominal), 2015 estimate, Total $25 billion[9][10], Per capital $1,000
Sources: Arirang News, NTI,CNS, Secretary of State Pompeo, CNBC,CBS, Yahoo\ wikipedia, CBS, Fox, CNN, TODAY, and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, November 22nd Rev. November 26th, 2018
URGENT November 20th, 2018: State Department Press Briefing with Secretary Mike Pompeo on Turkey, Saudi, Iran, DPRK
Secretary of State Pompeo news conference after meeting with Turkish foreign minister. He addresses that the South Korea-U.S. working group on North Korea take place on this week.
11/16/18 On the Release of an American Citizen from North Korea ; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Washington, DC
Press Statement
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 16, 2018
The United States appreciates the cooperation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the embassy of Sweden in facilitating the release of an American citizen. The United States is grateful for the sustained support of Sweden, our protecting power in North Korea, for its advocacy on behalf of American citizens. The safety and well-being of Americans remains one of the highest priorities of the Trump Administration.
On November 16, 2018 Media Note released DPRK Maritime Insurance Workshop
DPRK Maritime Insurance Workshop
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
November 16, 2018
Today, the United States and the United Kingdom met in London with industry leaders from maritime insurance companies, commodity traders, and other relevant parties, to discuss steps the private sector can take to prevent illicit shipping, trade, and other sanctions evasion activities that North Korea uses to generate revenue for its UN-prohibited nuclear and missile programs. North Korea continues to rely heavily on illicit shipping activities to evade UN sanctions. To that end, the United States and the United Kingdom are committed to working with the maritime industry to take proactive measures to fully implement UN sanctions and protect against the provision of insurance and other services to vessels engaging in activity prohibited under the UN sanctions regime.
The meeting featured presentations by representatives from the U.S. Department of State, the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea, international research institutions, and the maritime insurance industry. The presentations focused on topics such as North Korean sanctions evasion tactics, public-private sector cooperation, and enhanced due diligence approaches for the maritime insurance industry. As part of the event, participants discussed mechanisms to enhance cooperation between the private sector, governments, and the UN to detect and disrupt North Korea-linked shipping, and proactive measures to halt the provision of insurance and other services to vessels and entities that violate UN sanctions.
North Korea continues to employ deceptive tactics in order to evade UN sanctions. Facilitated by illicit transfers, North Korea’s imports of refined petroleum have substantially breached the UN-mandated cap. We urge all insurance providers, commodity traders, and other businesses to immediately end any and all relationships that support or facilitate the provision of refined petroleum to North Korea or other illicit North Korean shipping activities. As U.S. officials have noted, the United States will not hesitate to impose sanctions on any individual, entity, or vessel supporting North Korea’s illicit activities.
The United States remains committed to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea. The full implementation of North Korean-related UN Security Council resolutions by all countries is crucial to a successful diplomatic outcome. The international community must continue to implement and enforce these resolutions until North Korea denuclearizes.
Arirang News on Nov 21, 2018: discusses with us Dr. Go Myong-hyun , a Research Fellow from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies on the working group and the latest on North Korea. reports North Korea destroyed 10 guard posts along the DMZ on Tuesday, on November 21st, 2018.
US - SK Working group on North Korea convenes: outcomes and analysis
While the on-and-off again denuclearization talks with North Korea gradually shuffle along, a report has been released that could potentially derail the efforts made by South Korea and the U.S.
Arirang News on November 12, 2018, Arirang News Lee Ji-won reported that the report, put together by a U.S.-based think tank, suggests the regime is still pushing ahead with its nuclear weapons program.
U.S. think tank appears to have identified at least 13 of an estimated 20 undeclared missile operating bases inside North Korea.
This is according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Monday, which analyzed satellite images showing many of the sites scattered in remote, mountainous areas across the North.
The report also said maintenance and minor infrastructure improvements have been observed at some of the sites.
It says the sites could be used to house ballistic missiles of various ranges, including ICBMs, which could target the U.S. mainland, and be subject to declaration and verification in the denuclearization process.
Of them, Sakkanmol, the site closest to the border with South Korea, appears to be "active and being reasonably well maintained."
This comes just five months after North Korea and the U.S. had their historic first summit in Singapore, agreeing to jointly achieve Pyeongyang's denuclearization and security guarantee.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been touting his progress so far, saying the North has ceased its provocations and nuclear threats for months now.
The U.S. State Department, when asked about the report, said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a commitment to denuclearize and end its missile programs during his summit with President Trump.
Radio Free Asia reported Tuesday that a State Department official said President Trump made clear that the North has a brighter future should Kim make good on his commitments.
But Democrats in Washington think differently.
Senator Edward Markey, a Democratic member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said on Monday that "President Trump is getting played by Kim Jong-un".
He added Washington cannot have another summit with Pyeongyang, unless the regime takes "concrete, tangible actions" to halt and roll back its nuclear and missile programs.
With the North and the U.S. in a stalemate again, it remains to be seen how the latest report will affect their talks and possibly the planned second North Korea-U.S. summit slated for early next year.
CBS News reports dated on Nov 16, 2018: North Korea says it has tested a new "ultramodern" weapon: North Korea says it has tested out a new "ultramodern tactical weapon." It also released an American detained in the nation last month. Isaac Stone Fish, a CBSN contributor and senior fellow at the Asia Society’s Center on U.S./China Relations, joined CBSN to discuss.
Youtupe Mania News Alert on Aug 3, 2018- North Korea Is Building New ICBM, Confirmed U.S. Intelligence. US Spy Agencies Say North Korea Building New Missiles. This comes as Inter-Korean military talks have so far yielded trust building measures, but no significant reductions in troops or artillery at the border.
CityNews Toronto reported on Jul 31, 2018
Is North Korea working on new missiles? Melissa Duggan shares the satellite image that suggests the regime is building ICBM’s.
NBC News on Aug 4, 2018: North Korea Still Building Ballistic Missiles, Say U.S. Officials | NBC Nightly News: U.S. officials tell NBC News the CIA has long been aware of North Korea’s deception, confirming that the ballistic missiles are being built in as many as 20 hidden bases.
VOA on Nov 13, 2018: A U.S. research organization says it has identified at least 13 undeclared North Korean ballistic missile sites. As VOA’s Bill Gallo reports, it is the latest sign that the U.S. effort to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons has stalled.
North Korea Keeping Up Work on Missile Sites, Report Says
New analysis by Washington think tank comes as talks with Pyongyang on denuclearization stall
SEOUL—North Korea is maintaining a network of undeclared ballistic-missile operating bases as diplomatic talks with the U.S. have stalled, a new analysis of commercial satellite images suggests.
The analysis—in a report published Monday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington—adds to evidence that North Korea is advancing its missile and nuclear capabilities, even after embarking on an ambitious detente program with South Korea and the U.S. that began earlier this year.
ARIRANG NEWS Lee Ji-won reported on Nov. 13, 2018: North Korea's undeclared missile operating bases identified, found running: CSIS:A report from the U.S. suggests that North Korea is still working on developing nuclear weapons.
If so, that could deal a major blow to the progress made so far with South Korea and the U.S.
A U.S. think tank appears to have identified at least 13 of an estimated 20 undeclared missile operating bases inside North Korea.
This is according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Monday, which analyzed satellite images showing many of the sites scattered in remote, mountainous areas across the North.
The report also said maintenance and minor infrastructure improvements have been observed at some of the sites.
It says the sites could be used to house ballistic missiles of various ranges, including ICBMs, which could target the U.S. mainland, and be subject to declaration and verification in the denuclearization process.
Of them, Sakkanmol, the site closest to the border with South Korea, appears to be "active and being reasonably well maintained."
This comes just five months after North Korea and the U.S. had their historic first summit in Singapore,... agreeing to jointly achieve Pyeongyang's denuclearization and security guarantee.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been touting his progress so far, saying the North has ceased its provocations and nuclear threats for months now.
The U.S. State Department, when asked about the report, said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a commitment to denuclearize and end its missile programs during his summit with President Trump.
Radio Free Asia reported Tuesday that a State Department official said President Trump made clear that the North has a brighter future should Kim make good on his commitments.
But Democrats in Washington think differently.
Senator Edward Markey, a Democratic member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said on Monday that "President Trump is getting played by Kim Jong-un".
He added Washington cannot have another summit with Pyeongyang, unless the regime takes "concrete, tangible actions" to halt and roll back its nuclear and missile programs.
With the North and the U.S. in a stalemate again, it remains to be seen how the latest report will affect their talks and possibly the planned second North Korea-U.S. summit slated for early next year..
Reporter : hyosunee88@gmail.com: U.S. President Donald Trump has highly praised the work done by his administration in dealing with Pyeongyang. During an interview with Fox News which aired on Sunday, the commander in chief said. he was advised by his predecessor Barack Obama that North Korea was one of the top challenges for Washington. Trump explained he made (quote) "real decisions" on the regime, and that he's very happy with the progress made so far.
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) kokobj@yna.co.kr-- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a test of a newly developed high-tech weapon, the North's state media reported Friday.
The Korean Central Broadcasting Station said that Kim visited a testing site at a national defense institute and inspected the test of the unspecified new tactical weapon.
"The state-of-the-art weapon that has been long developed under the leadership of our party's dynamic leadership has a meaning of completely safeguarding our territory and significantly improving the combat power of our people's army," it said.
"The testing of the high-tech tactical weapon has been carried out successfully, meeting all superior and powerful designing indicators," it added.
It reported that Kim praised scientists, saying they have made yet another achievement, calling the successful testing a great innovation in enhancing its national defense capacity.
He added that the development of the weapon was spearheaded by his late father and former leader Kim Jong-il.
Kim was accompanied by Choe Ryong-hae, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party; Ri Pyong-chol, a senior official of the Munitions Industry Department; and Vice Department Director Jo Yong-won of the party's Central Committee.
The state media, however, did not specify what weapon was tested.
This marked the first field inspection by the North Korean leader of a weapons test since November last year, when he viewed the testing of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile.
The inspection came as denuclearization talks between the North and United States have been stalled since their June 12 summit.
(END).
How To Stop A North Korean Nuclear Missile.
STEP-BY-STEP NUCLEAR CONFIDENCE BUILDING ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA: WHERE DO WE START?
US Department State Archive shows that The Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was an agreed action item between South Korea and North Korea signed on January 20, 1992.
The declaration was issued February 19, 1992.
Sources: Secretary of State Pompeo, youtube, wikipedia, WSJ ,Arirang News, VOA, Reuters, CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBSN, Youtube Menia, Yunhap News, CityNews, Institute for Science and International Security,CSIs, and U.S Department of State: catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, November 20, Rev.November 22nd,, 2018
Pompeo POSTPONED The Meeting with DPRK's Counter Part
Meeting With DPRK Officials
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC November 7, 2018
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo’s meeting with officials from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, scheduled for this week in New York, will now take place at a later date. We will reconvene when our respective schedules permit. Ongoing conversations continue to take place. The United States remains focused on fulfilling the commitments agreed to by President Trump and Chairman Kim at the Singapore Summit in June.
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Washington, DC: September 27, 2018: Spokesperson Heather Nauert: Secretary Michael R. Pompeo chaired a UN Security Council meeting to discuss efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK. Secretary Pompeo said he would travel to Pyongyang to make continued progress on the four commitments President Trump and Chairman Kim made in the Singapore Summit Joint Statement. Secretary Pompeo emphasized the importance of continuing to implement obligatory UN Security Council resolutions and reiterated that these resolutions were pivotal in creating an opportunity for diplomatic engagement and that they must remain in effect and fully implemented until the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK. Secretary Pompeo said the United States looked forward to helping create a brighter future for a denuclearized DPRK.
September 26, 2018: Washington, DC: Secretary Pompeo met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in New York. Secretary Pompeo accepted Chairman Kim’s invitation to travel to Pyongyang next month to make further progress on the implementation of the commitments from the U.S.-DPRK Singapore summit, including the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, and to prepare for a second summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim.
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September 22, 2018: Washington DC: The United States welcomes coordination on international efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolutions on North Korea’s illicit shipping activities, which prohibit ship-to-ship transfers of any goods or items to or from North Korean vessels of any goods or items going to or coming from North Korea.
The United States applauds the recent announcements from Japan, Australia and New Zealand regarding monitoring and surveillance activities to detect UN-prohibited illicit North Korean maritime activities, with a particular focus on detecting and disrupting ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum to North Korean tankers in the East China Sea. We are pleased that this coordinated, multinational initiative includes these countries, along with Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. As part of this effort, we are sharing information and coordinating efforts to ensure that UN Security Council Resolutions are implemented fully and effectively. In support of this initiative, the United States has deployed aircraft and surface vessels to detect and disrupt these activities.
North Korea continues to regularly employ deceptive tactics to evade UN sanctions. Accordingly, UN Member States are required to prohibit persons or entities subject to their jurisdiction from engaging in ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum. In addition, the United States will not hesitate to impose sanctions on any individual, entity, or vessel supporting North Korea’s illicit activities, regardless of nationality.
The United States and international partners remain committed to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea and believe the full enforcement of North Korean-related UN Security Council Resolutions is crucial to a successful outcome. The international community must continue to enforce and implement UN Security Council Resolutions until North Korea denuclearizes.
Additional information for ships, ship owners, and entities involved in ship-to-ship transfers on the risks of working with the DPRK shipping industry is detailed in the February 23 Advisory on “Sanctions Risks Related to North Korea’s Shipping Practices”, which can be found at https://www.state.gov/e/eb/tfs/spi/northkorea/advisories/284053.htm.
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On September 25, 2018, President Trump stated at the UN General Assembly that nuclear testing in North Korea had ceased, but sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until total denuclearization is achieved.
During Remarks by President Trump before Marine One Departure September 19, 2018 at the South Lawn in White House: THE PRESIDENT: We had very good news from North Korea, South Korea. They met, and we had some great responses. I got a tremendous letter from Kim Jong Un. As you know, it was delivered three days ago. We’re making tremendous progress with respect to North Korea.
Prior to becoming President, it looked like we were going to war with North Korea, and now we have a lot of progress. We’ve gotten our prisoners back. We’re getting our remains back. They continue to come in. A lot of tremendous things.
But very importantly, no missile testing, no nuclear testing. Now they want to go and put a bid in for the Olympics. No, we have a lot of very good things going.
Remember this: Prior to my coming into office, a lot of people thought we were going — it was inevitable — we were going to war in North Korea. And now we’re — the relationships, I have to tell you, at least on a personal basis, they’re very good. It’s very much calmed down.
Washington, DC: On Sunday, July 15, representatives from the United States held the first General Officer-level talks with the DPRK since 2009. They met to discuss the return of U.S. service members’ remains missing since the Korean War. This meeting was aimed at fulfilling one of the commitments made by Chairman Kim at the Singapore Summit. Today’s talks were productive and cooperative and resulted in firm commitments.
Working level meetings between U.S. and North Korean officials will begin on Monday, July 16, to coordinate the next steps, including the transfer of remains already collected in the DPRK.
Additionally, both sides agreed to re-commence field operations in the DPRK to search for the estimated 5,300 Americans who never returned home.
On June 12, 2018, Trump and Kim met at the summit in Singapore, in the first summit meeting between the leaders of the two countries.Over the course of the summit, the two leaders engaged in several discussions and signed a joint statement calling for security, stability, and lasting peace.
Despite fears of a massive conflict, a détente began to develop when on March 8, 2018, the White House confirmed that Trump would accept a meeting invitation from Kim Jong-un. At the time, they were supposed to meet in May.
On May 24, 2018, President Trump cancelled the meeting.He later reversed his cancellation on June 1;the summit went as planned on June 12.
On May 15, 2018, North Korea cut off talks with South Korea and threatened to cancel the planned U.S.-North Korea summit, citing military exercises between the United States and South Korea. This cancellation was quickly reversed when Trump received an uncharacteristically friendly reply from Kim.
On March 8, 2018, the White House confirmed that President Trump would accept a meeting invitation from Kim Jong-un, then expected to occur by the following May. Press Secretary Sarah Sanderss aid that "in the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain."
On February 15, 2018, after previous media reports, the Trump administration denied considering a so-called preemptive "bloody nose" attack on North Korea's nuclear program. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific AffairsSusan Thornton confirmed that the administration's policy remains one of "maximum pressure" via economic sanctions in order to get North Korea to negotiate on eliminating its nuclear weapons. Thornton however reiterated that military options are still "on the table" and that Pyongyang would be forced to give up its nuclear weapons “one way or another.”
The Trump administration sounded the alarm about the development by North Korea of nuclear weapons and missiles that could hit the United States. It tried to enlist support from Russia and China, as well as South Korea and Japan.
North Korea conducted a sixth nuclear test, the first of a thermonuclear weapon, on September 3, 2017.
On November 20, 2017, Trump officially announced re-listing North Korea as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
In December 2017, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffMichael Mullen said during an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC's This Week that the United States did not solve diplomatically, and warned that North Korea was closer to a Nuclear War with United States. He said in a statement, "We're actually closer, in my view, to a nuclear war with North Korea and in that region than we have ever been"
2017 marked a significant rise of tensions and amplified rhetoric from both sides as Donald Trump took the presidency, after it appeared that North Korea's nuclear weapons program was developing at a faster rate than previously thought. The increasing rhetoric (as well as Trump's more aggressive approach to handling North Korea), missile testing and increasing military presence on the Korean Peninsula sparked speculation of a nuclear conflict.
Sources: Secretary of State Pompeo,,wikipedia catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, November 8th,, 2018
Pompeo to Meet DPRK's Counter Part to Anticipating complete denuclearization and The 3rd Summit with US-DPRK
According to Secretary of State, Popeo Department Press Briefing in Washinton DC, report dated November 4, 2018, shows that Interview With John Dickerson of CBS Face the Nation Interview:
SECRETARY POMPEO: We’re confident that the Iranians will not make that decision.
QUESTION: Let me ask you a question about North Korea. You have talks this week. North Korea is saying they might restart their nuclear program if the U.S. does not start lifting sanctions. Is it still the U.S. position that North Korea will not see any economic sanctions lift until there is complete denuclearization?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So, John, I will. I’ll be in New York City at the end of this week meeting with my counterpart, Kim Yong-chol. I expect we’ll make some real progress, including an effort to make sure that the summit between our two leaders can take place, where we can make substantial steps towards denuclearization.
John, we have to remember and the American people need to remember the North Koreans haven’t launched a missile, haven’t conducted a nuclear test. They allowed the return of American remains. We’ve had success in just the handful of months since this past June, and we continue to make good progress. I’m confident that we’ll advance the ball again this week when I’m in New York City.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you said that North Korea will not see any economic sanctions lifted until it has demonstrated complete denuclearization. Is that still your position?
SECRETARY POMPEO: It is. Not only complete denuclearization, but our capacity to verify that that has taken place --
On November 1, 2018, Department Press Briefing, Robert Palladino Deputy Spokesperson in Washington, DC at 2:24 p.m. EDT
QUESTION: It’s been more than week and a half since the Secretary said that he will meet – week and a half with some North Korean counterpart. Does that mean that this meeting is canceled or that it’s just postponed, and do you have any date or announcement to make?
MR PALLADINO: He said yesterday that he would be speaking to his counterpart soon – next week, I believe. And so I don’t have any further details to announce today on how – on that, and I’ll leave it at that.-----
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On October 31, 2018, Interview With Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo and Laura Ingraham of The Laura Ingraham, Via Teleconference:
QUESTION: CNBC reported yesterday, Mr. Secretary, that North Korea is reportedly preparing nuclear and missile sites for international inspectors. What can you tell us about – I know you are going to go meet with your North Korean counterpart in just a matter of days, but what’s the latest from North Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I can’t say much about what’s taking place on the ground, but I can make clear that when I was with Chairman Kim, now three, three and a half weeks ago, he committed to allowing American inspectors to come look at two significant sites.We hope to get them there before too long. It’s one of the things I’ll speak with my counterpart next week about. And then we do have the intention of President Trump and Chairman Kim getting together before too long, hopefully early in the next year, where we can make a substantial breakthrough in taking down the nuclear threat from North Korea. I’m – we’re still happy that they haven’t conducted a nuclear test in an awfully long time and they haven’t launched a missile in an awfully long time, but there’s a lot of work which remains, and Chairman Kim has made clear to me – just as plain as I’m speaking to you, Laura – that he has the intention to denuclearize and we’ll do everything we can to assist him in following through on that commitment.--
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo held productive discussions with Chairman Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on October 7th, Sunday. They discussed the four elements contained in the U.S.-DPRK Singapore Summit Joint Statement signed by President Trump and Chairman Kim. They also discussed the upcoming second summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim and refined options for the location and date of that next summit.
CBS News Oct 7th, 2018: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sat down for lunch following an almost two-hour-long private meeting with North Korean leader Kim JongUn in Pyongyang.
Secretary Pompeo was joined by Special Representative Stephen E. Biegun and Chairman Kim was joined by Kim Yo-jong, First Vice Director of the Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee.
Secretary Pompeo and Chairman Kim also agreed to instruct their respective working-level teams to meet soon to intensify discussions on the key remaining issues to deliver on the Singapore Summit Joint Statement.
In addition, Chairman Kim invited inspectors to visit the Punggye Ri nuclear test site to confirm that it has been irreversibly dismantled.
President Trump looks forward to continuing to build upon the trust established with Chairman Kim in Singapore and anticipates meeting again soon.
ARIRANG NEWS, dated November 4th, 2018 reported Pompeo says he will meet N. Korea's Kim Yong-chol in New York this week.
ARIRANG NEWS, dated November 4th, 2018 Lee Seung-jae reported Pompeo says he will meet N. Korea's Kim Yong-chol in New York this week
After weeks of speculation, we now have confirmation.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has revealed he will meet this week with North Korea's Kim Yong-chol, leader Kim Jong-un's closest aide, in New York.
Up for discussion: denuclearization and a second summit between Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
In an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed his meeting with Kim Yong-chol, whom he called North Korea's "number two", will happen sometime this week in New York.
Pompeo said he expects the two sides to make "some real progress", including an effort to make sure the upcoming second summit between Kim Jong-un and President Trump can take place where substantial steps toward denuclearization can be achieved.
Despite the upcoming meeting, the two sides continue to be at odds over the heavy sanctions on the regime. Last week, North Korea's foreign ministry warned Pyeongyang will "seriously" consider reviving its nuclear weapons program unless U.S. sanctions are lifted.
However, Pompeo made it clear on "Fox News Sunday", that there would be "no economic relief" until the U.S. had achieved its ultimate objective.
Meanwhile, news of the meeting between Pompeo and Kim Yong-chol, and the possibility of another summit comes just two days before the crucial midterm elections in the U.S., widely seen as a referendum on President Trump.
Trump has often pointed to the detente with North Korea as his signature foreign policy accomplishment.
Pompeo emphasized in both television appearances that there have breen no missile or nuclear tests since the Singapore summit some five months ago.
Kim Yong-chol, a former top intelligence chief, visited the White House in the run-up to the Singapore summit, and has been Pompeo's counterpart in the months since.
On Jul 6, 2018 NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reported for TODAY News that North Korea is increasing its nuclear program, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the nation for his third visit to nail down Kim Jong Un’s pledge to get rid of his nuclear weapons.
Sources: Secretary of State Pompeo, CNBC,CBS, Yahoo\wikipedia, CBS, Fox, CNN, TODAY, and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, November 4th, 2018
The World leaders demanding prayers and cooperation for denuke and peace
ROK President visits Pope Francis on October 18th, 2018
President Trump opens Defense Roundtable on October 19th, 2018
President Trump Held Defense Roundtable on October 19th, 2018
Remarks by President Trump at Defense Roundtable
NATIONAL SECURITY & DEFENSE
Issued on: October 20, 2018
Luke Air Force Base
Maricopa County, Arizona
5:07 P.M. MST
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it’s great talent around this beautiful room. And thank you all for being here. By the way, the head of Boeing and the head of Lockheed, and the head of Raytheon and the head of everything else, we have them all. We have them all around. So thank you all for being here. It’s an honor.
I want to thank General Todd Canterbury for the tour. That’s pretty lethal weaponry. I’ve been going around the last week or so, more so than ever — I’ve been saying we make the greatest — the greatest military equipment in the world. Not even a contest. There’s nothing close. And every other country knows it. And, you know, we’re talking about something right now, where a particular country ordered — you’ll never guess who this is — about $110 billion worth of equipment. And I assume you’d like to keep those orders probably. (Laughter.)
PARTICIPANT: Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: But if you don’t — Boeing, Dennis — you can let me know. (Laughter.) It’ll make things a lot easier. But you make the best, and that’s why you have it.
Also, Luke Air Force Base — I’ve heard about it for so long; so good. Top of the line, isn’t it? Huh? Thank you very much, General.
I also want to thank our roundtable participants today: Secretary Wilbur Ross, doing a great job. All those trade deals we’re making, Wilbur. Right? Representative Martha McSally, who is a special woman. And I met her when she was in Congress, and we work together well. She’s a great pilot. A lot of people told me she’s really a talented pilot as opposed to one that just about made it. She made it easily. And she likes a specific plane; we won’t tell them what the plane is. (Laughter.) They don’t make that plane anymore.
REPRESENTATIVE MCSALLY: (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right. But she’s been fantastic.
Also, Representative Tom O’Halleran, thank you very much. Where’s Tom? Tom? What are you doing over there, Tom? You can join us, even though you’re a Democrat. (Laughter.) Representative Debbie Lesko. And, Debbie, a great job you’ve done. You’ve done a great job. We worked hard a couple years ago —
REPRESENTATIVE LESKO: We did.
THE PRESIDENT: And now your district loves you, right?
REPRESENTATIVE LESKO: I sure hope so.
THE PRESIDENT: They better.
REPRESENTATIVE LESKO: More elections in one year, I’ll tell you.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, that’s true. You set a record.
REPRESENTATIVE LESKO: Well, welcome to my district.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. It’s great to be here. Thank you.
Also, Secretary — Deputy Secretary Patrick Shanahan. And, Patrick, thanks. Great job you — he’s a good purchaser of equipment. I hope you find that he negotiates well, because if he doesn’t, I’m going to be very disappointed. What do you think, Dennis? Is he okay?
MR. MUILENBURG: He’s tough.
THE PRESIDENT: Huh?
MR. MUILENBURG: He’s tough. He’s good.
THE PRESIDENT: I would expect you to say that. (Laughter.) Dennis is Boeing.
So thank you very much, Patrick. And it’s been great working with you. And we have — we’ve made some big purchases, some good deals. A little bit better than presented. And it’s the best. There’s nothing like the stuff.
Secretary Heather Wilson — Heather, thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. Great job you’re doing. Under Secretary Ellen Lord, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Ellen. You’re keeping busy, right?
UNDER SECRETARY LORD: Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: Good. I think so. And all of the outstanding representatives who join us today from America’s aerospace and defense industries, civil society. I mean, if you look at the civil society and the business society, it’s been pretty amazing what’s happened over the last two years. And you’re all doing well, and we’re doing well. The country is doing well. We’re setting new records on jobs. We’ve got every category — just about every category is a new record, or very close. And a lot of them work for you. A lot of them work for your great companies. And they are great companies. Thank you very much.
This incredible state is home to six major military installations, more than 30,000 military personnel, and thousands of defense companies. Arizona’s military industry supports 76,000 jobs — that’s big — and creates $11.5 billion in economic output.
So what state would be comparable or larger? Is it larger? I mean, Texas does great.
REPRESENTATIVE MCSALLY: I think we’re number three. I think we’re number three on the list.
THE PRESIDENT: Number three? All right. But knowing you, you’ll be —
REPRESENTATIVE MCSALLY: (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: She’ll be number one very quickly. That’s why she’s doing so well. They all know.
The United States must always invest in a strong military. And it’s been very important for me. The military has been vital. That’s why we had, Wilbur, $700 billion approved last year, and $716 billion this year. And, General, everybody that passes me, from the military, thanks me for the new equipment. We were very depleted, and we’re not depleted anymore. Although the equipment is pouring in, but we’re not depleted anymore. So that’s fantastic.
We’ve secured record funding for the armed forces. The funds will support new fighter jets, ships, tanks, thousands of new recruits. And we also gave something very important, and that was a pay increase — the first in 10 years. A nice, substantial pay increase to the people that deserve it so badly.
And one of the things that was very important to me is to totally modernize and rebuild our nuclear arsenal. And we’re doing that. And we will, very shortly, be in a position where there won’t be anybody close — not that we ever want to think about using it, but we’re not going to use it. The best way, the only way is — that’s the way we don’t have to use it, right? So we’re doing a lot of work on that. And in a very short period of time — already we’re superior, but we will be at a level that nobody competes with.
Earlier this month, we released our landmark Defense Industrial Base report, which outlines new ways to strengthen our defense and manufacturing base. American-made military products are more effective, more lethal, and more precise than any other equipment in the world. And I’ve been going around saying that. And we have a lot of countries that are dying to order our stuff, but we don’t like them that much, so we don’t let them order. But overall, Marillyn, I don’t think you’re complaining, right? And that F-35 is special. That is a special — that’s a special fighter, right? It’s great.
So we have to ensure that our warriors — our brave, brave warriors — have the resources that they need and deserve, and that our allies and partners continue to purchase American products. We want them to purchase our products. They’re the best products.
Joining us today are several inspiring leaders who all share my commitment to supporting our military. And they’re making America more prosperous, more competitive, secure and proud. And we really do. I mean, I know these people pretty well. I knew them a little bit in private industry. I know them a lot from what I’ve been doing for the last almost two years. Can you believe that, Dennis? It’s almost two years already.
We just gave him an order for Air Force One. Air Force One now is 30 years old. And it was time. And they wanted to do it for the last two administrations; they never got it done. But we got it done.
MR. MUILENBURG: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: And hopefully you’re going to speed it up. (Laughter.)
MR. MUILENBURG: Going fast.
THE PRESIDENT: And it’s going to be incredible. Actually, Boeing is doing it. It’s going to be a new color system: red, white, and blue. And it looks phenomenal. It’s the right color system. And if it looks as good as it does in print and in the models, it’s going to be fantastic. Right? So I hope you’re moving along. That’s moving along very fast, I hear.
MR. MUILENBURG: Yep. We’re moving fast and continuing to focus on getting it delivered.
THE PRESIDENT: Very good. Very good. So I just want to thank you all for being here.
And if you have any questions, I’d like — maybe before that, I’d like to introduce Martha McSally, say a few words. She is very special. A person that has taken the whole country by storm. They’re talking about her all over the country.
I don’t know — I don’t want to make you feel a little bit like, “Oh, gee, what’s happening,” but they’re talking about you all over the country. And I fully understand that, and I got it a long time ago. I think you’re going to be very, very successful.
This is a non-politician who is brilliant and brave, and became a politician, and was very successful. Her area, her district loved her. And now, as you know — as some of you know, she’s running for the Senate in Arizona. She has a very, very strange opponent. (Laughter.) I have to tell you, Martha, that should be easy, but you got to get in there fighting, right? Huh?
REPRESENTATIVE MCSALLY: (Inaudible) capacity.
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right. I know. Official is right. So anyway, please say a few words, Martha. We’re very proud of you. Thank you.
REPRESENTATIVE MCSALLY: Thank you, President Trump. I really appreciate you spending the day here and taking the time to come to Luke Air Force Base. I mean, this base has a long history here in Arizona of being part of keeping our country safe. And we have such tremendous partners here around the community, in the West Valley, that are very committed to making sure that this base is protected and that our airmen are protected. And we’ve got the Fight Country partnership as well. They’re just amazing, the partnership. We’ve got the same kind of partnership in southern Arizona — the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance here.
It’s just — in Arizona, I can’t — I mean, I’ve been stationed in a lot of different places. But Arizona is special. And I guess everybody might say that, but I really feel that in my heart. Because so many people here have served, so many people came here to serve, or even came here to work at one of these companies. And then they choose to say, like, this is where I want to be, this is where I want to stay, this is where I want to retire.
But there is this partnership amongst the communities to support our troops and our bases and our defense industry that is really unmatched around the country. And I think everybody nodding here will tell you, it’s really special. And I think it sets the example for the rest of the country. And that’s everyone from — again, I’m thinking about it; you know, I’ve shot some of their air missiles and used their rescue equipment. (Laughter.) We could go around the room. I mean, in the defense industry — I don’t want to leave anybody out — but they are patriots wearing civilian clothes as well. And many of these industries have chosen to locate here.
Also, Arizona is a great state, right? It’s a great state to live. It’s a great state to relocate your family. So all that comes with that has just been so critical for us here in Arizona. And these representations, these leaders who have people who are coming with their families to be a part of the team, which is — they’re partnering us to equip the warfighter, to make sure that we keep our country safe.
So it’s not just our military who’s doing that. It’s the engineers every day that are finding new capabilities for us, that are working at each of these industries. You know, I just visited yesterday — just the idea of, like, “We’re going to break through on some these things, and we’re going to provide better capabilities to be able to go rescue downed airmen.” And the commitment that they have is extraordinary. And that’s at every company here.
And these organizations — Yuma 50, (inaudible) — I mean, they’re doing everything from helping our deployed airmen’s families — or all the services, when they’re deployed — you know, get their oil changed; you know, help with daycare. I mean, you name it. The things that they do to step in, where the military has some legal limitations, and the civilian community, civic society steps in, it’s really extraordinary.
So I just want to leave it at that. I’m so grateful for allowing me to be here. And thank you for coming to see this.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it’s a great state. We love Arizona. General, could you maybe talk about Luke a little bit? Because it’s got a big reputation.
GENERAL CANTERBURY: Yes, sir. It is an honor and privilege to lead the more than 5,600 men and women of Luke Air Force Base. Our mission is simple: We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots here. Luke Air Force Base is responsible for training about 95 percent of the United States’ Air Force fighter pilots between the 944th Wing and our 56th Fighter Wing. And it is an honor to use the equipment that these men and women provide to us, and the taxpayers provide to us to use this equipment. And we’re not going to fail, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: And your father was the boss here too, right? (Laughter.)
GENERAL CANTERBURY: Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: He showed me a picture. They looked like twins. He showed me a picture. And he’s still around, he’s still healthy, and he’s still telling you what to do, right?
GENERAL CANTERBURY: Yes, sir. (Laughter.) Every night (inaudible) debrief, and he’s anxiously awaiting a phone call at night, sir. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right. You give him my regards.
GENERAL CANTERBURY: Thank you, sir. Will do.
Marillyn, maybe you could tell us a little about what’s going on with Lockheed Martin.
MS. HEWSON: Well, Mr. President, thank you for the opportunity to participate in this important conversation, especially right here at Luke, where this is the largest F-35 base in the world, and growing. We have — you know, with the aircraft that are coming in here, you highlighted how important the capability is for our nation. And it is the best capability.
But the study that you referenced, I just want to thank you for commissioning that. I think it’s very important, because American aerospace and defense is a major part of the economic strength of this country. And when we look at 2.4 million jobs in aerospace and defense, and a trade surplus of $86 billion, we know it’s important that your study that you commissioned uncovered that we do have fragility in the supply chain, we do have capabilities that we need to bolster.
And so we’re very pleased to be working with your administration, with the Department of Defense, on those recommendations that came out of that. So thank you for the opportunity to be here.
THE PRESIDENT: So, on the F-35, has the stealth gotten even better? Because it was always considered extraordinary. Has it really been upped, or is it at that same level, would you say?
MS. HEWSON: Well, I would say, sir, that we’re at the point where we delivered over 300 aircraft, and the aircraft were out of the initial design phase, and this is (inaudible) design phase. Now, we’ll do upgrades to the aircraft, whether it’s software and other things over time that the U.S. government will commission industry to do.
So we’ll keep it ahead of the threat. That’s the goal. And (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: And it is ahead. It’s a great plane. Thank you very much.
Dennis, from Boeing?
MR. MUILENBURG: Well, thank you, Mr. President, for being here as well. And I think as you saw earlier, you saw one of our Apache helicopters here as well.
THE PRESIDENT: That’s true. Wow.
MR. MUILENBURG: Another great product produced here in the state of Arizona.
THE PRESIDENT: That’s something.
MR. MUILENBURG: We had chance to go down and see our team in Mesa earlier today, and really proud to support our servicemen and women. And training for the future, as well, with the new T-X trainer that will be coming online — we’re looking forward to supporting our U.S. Air Force customer there, as well.
And I want to thank you again for the emphasis on the strength of the industrial base here. And you referenced the report, as did Marillyn. And investing in aerospace and defense is a great thing for the country — economically; from a national security standpoint. And in particular, some of your policies around tax reform and regulatory reform is sustaining the gains there. Really important. That’s allowing us to invest and innovate in defense.
I think we have challenges in the workforce side and our supply chain strength for the future — areas where we’re going to continue to work.
THE PRESIDENT: Now you can solve those challenges.
MR. MUILENBURG: You got it. And I think the work we’re doing together on workforce development and training is very effective there.
We’ve got teammates here from our supply chain. Marti McCurdy here — who runs Spirit Electronics, one of our small businesses in our supply chain here in Arizona — is a great example of investing in that supply chain.
So we want to thank you for those policies.
THE PRESIDENT: I didn’t know you made the missiles to the extent. I’m looking outside, and I was very surprised, actually. Boeing — a lot of them had the name Boeing on them. I didn’t know that was a great specialty of yours. Tell us about that.
MR. MUILENBURG: Yeah, that’s a big area of investment for us as well. So things like the JDAM, which is used significantly around the world. Very effective for our servicemen and women. Small Diameter Bomb is another example. So you saw some of those today.
So again, we’re honored to do that on behalf of our U.S. men and women in uniform. We take that job very seriously. And it was mentioned earlier — the importance of our veterans and investing in our veterans. So thank you for what you’re doing there. Veterans in the workforce, as well, is a big deal to all of us.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Dennis. You’re doing a great job.
MR. MUILENBURG: So you have some great talent there.
THE PRESIDENT: Some incredible things you’re coming up with. Thank you very much.
Would anybody like to say anything while we’re all gathered together? Anybody have any complaints or any suggestions? (Laughter.) Would anybody — come up with any great ideas?
REPRESENTATIVE LESKO: Mr. President, I would love to say thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, Debbie.
REPRESENTATIVE LESKO: I would love to say thank you. It’s so refreshing to have a President that is so strong in supporting the military and the veterans. And we appreciate it. The American public appreciates it. I mean, that’s the number-one mission of government, is to protect its people. And you’re doing it. Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Debbie. That’s really nice. Appreciate it. Anybody? Yes, sir.
MR. BRADY: Mr. President, you know, we do your encryption equipment in the White House.
THE PRESIDENT: Right. That’s right.
MR. BRADY: Voice and data. But like I was saying to Secretary Ross — you know, we have — we can only keep a lead so long if all of our stuff is getting stolen the moment we design it. And the cyber threat is not being properly addressed. And there’s capabilities, even in the products you have —
THE PRESIDENT: So what would you do about that, Chris? You’re right. And they should have been doing this for 15 years, and they haven’t been.
MR. BRADY: Yep.
THE PRESIDENT: So what would you do? Your company is a great company. What would you do about it?
MR. BRADY: Well, so we already ship network encryptors. We’ve embedded capability in those encryptors to pick up the signatures of threats and attacks, even the classified signatures, and store them safely. But we’re not turning them on. It’s not being used.
THE PRESIDENT: So why don’t we get somebody that you would recommend, and let’s bring them into government, and let’s do it the right way. Because you know, it’s such a specific kind of a thing. It’s great knowledge involved. You can’t just hire somebody off the street and say, “Hey, congratulations, you’re in charge of cyber.”
MR. BRADY: But the NSA has the capability to understand that. And we have —
THE PRESIDENT: They have some really good people.
MR. BRADY: And we have industry partners, like Viasat and others, that do products that can do things like that. Together we can get that stuff turned on.
When you put this — when you turn it on, it lights up like a Christmas tree. The threats are coming every day. I mean, it’s probably more than your normal traffic. And we’re getting compromised every day.
THE PRESIDENT: So do we have the equipment? We definitely have the knowledge. Where are we on the scale of knowledge right now, would you say?
MR. BRADY: We’re very good at tracking the threats, but we’re also very stingy about disseminating the information we already know about the threats.
THE PRESIDENT: Right. Right.
MR. BRADY: That’s what the fear is in the intelligence community, is to let some of that information live in these boxes that we believe are secure. But that’s the only way we can defend all of our installations against these kinds of attacks.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I’d like to talk to you about it.
MR. BRADY: I would love to.
THE PRESIDENT: Because I agree with you, it’s very important. And there’s great knowledge that you have from your company, but there’s — and others here have that great knowledge. Very important — cyber. And I hear more and more about cyber. And we have the brainpower. We have potentially — I mean, there’s nobody that should be able to event compete with us, with what we have just around this table.
So, Jerry, any of you, if you have any ideas, let us know. We’ll do something. Because we’re going to do something. We’ve already started. But I’d rather start it from this table than any other table in the world. Does that make sense? You understand that? We have the brainpower right around this table.
So, good. Thank you, Chris. That’s fantastic.
Would you like to say something?
SECRETARY WILSON: Well, sir, I’d leave it to the community leaders here (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: You’re doing a great job though. I think everyone said it.
SECRETARY WILSON: Our job is to keep the country keep safe, sir. And the F-35 is part of that. We like winning. And the F-35 wins.
THE PRESIDENT: It’s a great plane. Great plane. So when is Boeing going to make one to compete with it? (Inaudible.) (Laughter.)
SECRETARY WILSON: They just gave us the T-X.
THE PRESIDENT: You know what, though? You do have — you do have that.
MR. MUILENBURG: We’re in the fighter business, as well.
THE PRESIDENT: And you do have some good —
MR. MUILENBURG: We do a lot of work together.
THE PRESIDENT: And you do have some good stuff, I have to tell you. Some really good stuff. But you are going to one of the super stealths right?
MR. MUILENBURG: Yeah, we’re working all together on future technologies and what will happen next, and next-generation capabilities.
THE PRESIDENT: Good. Next generation.
MR. MUILENBURG: Because I think it’s important that we continue as a country to invest in that innovation.
THE PRESIDENT: I agree.
MR. MUILENBURG: Next-step capabilities. We’re doing that jointly with our customers.
THE PRESIDENT: Wilbur, do you have anything? Yes.
MS. HEWSON: Can I just say that, you know, you make a very important point about how national security also drives economic security. And on the F-35, today it supports 194,000 jobs across the United States and 1,500 U.S. suppliers.
So not only does it have the high capability that we need to keep our citizens safe and to work with our allies to make sure that we have protect and — safe and secure environment for our people, but it also brings a lot of jobs. And even here at Luke, I think we have over 400 industry professionals, and that’s growing to 700 in the next several years that are supporting F-35 on the base here. That’s just a microcosm of all the jobs across the country.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
MR. DEMURO: I would just add that another example. Even in combat vehicles, where the Army is recapitalizing its ground forces, the investments that are being made in the next generation as well as the modernization.
THE PRESIDENT: And you like what we’re doing?
MR. DEMURO: Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: Do you agree with it?
MR. DEMURO: Eighteen-thousand jobs — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma, all around the country, as you go through the supply chain. So it’s a model that’s being repeated over and over again.
THE PRESIDENT: And you think we’re doing the right thing?
MR. DEMURO: Absolutely. Securing the interest of the United States? Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: That’s very good, thank you.
MS. SMITH: Mr. President, I’m Amber Smith, the President and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. But more importantly, I am one of the founding members and the current president of the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance.
And to the Congresswoman’s point, we do exceptionally well at supporting our military. In fact, in southern Arizona, we even have the statistics that — what was it — 93 percent of our citizens support the six installations in southern Arizona.
But what’s really exceptional are the public-private partnerships. And you see that around this table. And I want to thank you for the leadership you have shown in recognizing some really incredible workforce development programs in which we are placing veterans into jobs in the aerospace and defense industry.
And I was talking to Secretary Ross about the backend technology of this, which you’ve recognized that, civilianizing those HR codes of military, we’ll be able to better place the billions of dollars of exceptional talent we have in our military into these jobs to help immediately address some of these workforce issues, and then be able to build our pipeline as well.
So thank you very much for recognizing that that exists, and supporting our pilot program in Tucson.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, Amber. That’s very nice. Thank you.
Wilbur?
SECRETARY ROSS: We’re going to help publicize the event, the product that’s coming out of her workforce.
THE PRESIDENT: Good. That’s great.
SECRETARY ROSS: It’s a very interesting idea.
We also got some very good suggestions, before you came here, about space. So there are a couple of recommendations I’m going to carry forward to Vice President Pence, for the Space Council —
THE PRESIDENT: So we’re doing a new force. You know that right?
How does the Air Force feel about that? But we’re doing a brand new force. And it’ll be the Space Force. And everybody is excited. Whenever I mention it, everybody goes crazy and they like it. And that’s what it’s all about, I guess.
You know, those planes are all beautiful. But we’re now going into space. And that’s for defense. I mean, we’re not just talking about sending rockets up to the moon. We’re talking about for defense and for offense.
So I think, pretty soon, it’s been well received even in Congress, bipartisan. And pretty soon we’re going to have Space Force, so that’ll be number six. And this way it can be specific. We’ll have a great genius like yourself, comparable, maybe not as good, but pretty good. (Laughter.) And it’ll have an extra person sitting on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and it’s going to be full force. It’s going to very important. I think it’s going to be a big contribution. Something very necessary.
Go ahead, Wilbur.
SECRETARY ROSS: So we had interchange about supply chain management, about all kinds of issues. And we especially addressed the problems of foreign procurement and the things that Congress can do to help them solve this problem.
So I thought it was a very, very worthwhile roundtable. I don’t know how the rest of you felt, but it had very good interchange. And concrete suggestions will come from it.
THE PRESIDENT: Good. Thank you.
Mr. Secretary, what do you think?
DEPUTY SECRETARY SHANAHAN: Sure. I think a lot of things. (Laughter.) You know, I’m just going to start with, I think, where Representative Lesko was.
Thank you. You’ve made us stronger. Under your leadership, we are stronger. And with Congress’s support, we’ve got a budget that makes us stronger. When you look at where we’ve come in terms of readiness, we now have the munitions that we lacked before. Ships are sailing, airplanes are flying. And the most important piece is we’re training more.
Something that probably most people here would also echo is your advocacy on foreign military sales is huge. That has not —
THE PRESIDENT: It’s hurting me right now.
DEPUTY SECRETARY SHANAHAN: I know, but —
THE PRESIDENT: Right now, it’s hurting me with these people.
DEPUTY SECRETARY SHANAHAN: I know. But your advocacy is significant for this industrial base. And I think the most important aspect is the budget will allow us to modernize so that we can compete. The modernization is the single most important work that we have to get to undertake. And we’re undertaking it.
And you know, as you’ve counseled me, we need to be good stewards, buy smart, not over specifying. I think we’ll do that. But thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: And when you say “compete,” I would like to say so that nobody can even come to close to competing with us, as opposed to just competing. Because what I’m really doing is putting us in a position where there’s not going to be anybody even close.
And that’s why we’re — again, we’re looking at all of the planes, all of the weapons, all of the rockets, all of the — everything, including, obviously, the nuclear. You hate to even bring up the nuclear because it’s a — it’s such an incredible threat. But we have no choice but to do it because others do it. It would be nice if nobody would do it. Right, Dennis? It would be great. But doesn’t seem to be that way.
So I just want to thank everybody at the table. Would any of you folks have a question for anybody at the table? We have the greatest talent in the world at this table. Anybody have any questions?
Q Can we ask you one question about the Saudis, sir? There’s been a reaction — there’s been a statement from Saudi Arabia. (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. I just saw it. Just came out.
Q What was your reaction to that? Do you consider (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think it’s a good first step. It’s a big step. It’s a lot of people. A lot of people involved. And I think it’s a great first step.
You probably know that very fair person, Reuters — and you probably know that — you are; you’re very good. Very, very good.
We have a tremendous order. Probably the people around this table have the vast percentage of the $110-billion order from Saudi. We have $450 billion. But on defense, we have $110 billion. And I would say, almost 100 percent of it would be sitting right around this table with the great companies. Raytheon is here, too. Just great companies.
It’s very important. I don’t want to tell them — I don’t want to look over and tell Marillyn or Dennis, “By the way, we’re going to take $25 billion worth of sales away from you,” because that would mean a lot of jobs, it would mean a lot of everything.
And Saudi Arabia has been a great ally. But what happened is unacceptable. We are going to see. They’ve arrested — just for the people at the table — a large number of people having to do with the event that took place in Turkey and the consulate — the Saudi consulate. And it’s a big first step. It’s only a first step, but it’s a big first step.
Q Do you consider it credible, their explanation, for —
THE PRESIDENT: I do. I do. I mean, it’s — again, it’s early. We haven’t finished our review or investigation. But it’s — I think it’s a very important first step, and it happened sooner than people thought it would happen.
Q Did you know, sir, that it was a fistfight? And as result of the fistfight, Mr. Khashoggi was killed. (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t know that that was — I don’t know that that’s — I mean, that’s a theory that’s being thrown out. I don’t think anybody said that. But they’re saying there was a fight. But that’s a theory that was put out. But they’re going to be giving us a full report. But they have arrested a large number of people, and a good first step.
Yeah?
Q Sir, are you concerned that they — the leadership there lied to you, or other members of the administration, when they denied —
THE PRESIDENT: No, I don’t think so at all. Because they weren’t out front with me in terms of, you know, what happened. This is really a — we just got this report from them. And you got it, along with a lot of other people. No. I think that we’ll be talking to them. We’ll see what happens. We may have some questions. We do have some questions.
And as I told you, I’ll be working on this with Congress. Congress is very interested in this one, and we’ll be working with Congress. But I would prefer, if there is going to be some form of sanctions, or what we may determine to do, if anything — because this was a lot of people they’re talking about, and people pretty high up. But I would prefer that we don’t use, as retribution, cancelling $110 billion worth of work, which means 600,000 jobs.
I know it sounds easy and it sounds good, and a lot people have said, “Oh, let’s just not sell them a $110-billion order.” I guess you take it a step further, “Let’s not sell them $450 billion,” which is the largest order in the history of our country. I went there to get that order. Saudi Arabia was my first stop. And everyone thought that was unusual. But I said, I want to order — “I want you to order a tremendous amount of stuff.” Right? Everything. Your stuff and everybody’s stuff. And Wilbur was there. They ordered $450 billion. There’s never been anything like it, or close.
The last thing I want to do is say we’re not going to supply you with that, and therefore we’re going to cut — I guess, if you add the whole thing up, because just for the military was 600,000 jobs. So now if you’re talking about — that was $110 billion — you know, you’re talking about over a million jobs. You know, I’d rather keep the million jobs, and I’d rather find another solution.
But this was a good first step today. Okay?
Anything? Yeah.
Q Mr. President, Lindsay Graham said he’s very skeptical of the Saudi narrative. Are you — do you share some of that skepticism, too? And do you intend to speak with the Crown Prince or the King in the next day or two to get their side of the story?
THE PRESIDENT: I will — yeah. Before I start making those statements, I’m going to speak to the Crown Prince. And I’ve spoken to the King. I want to speak with the Crown Prince.
And, you know, I think we’re getting close to solving a very big problem. And again, remembering the people around this table know it better than anyone — Martha McSally knows it better than anyone — they’ve been a great ally in the Middle East. We need them as a counter-balance to Iran. And so it’s not the simplest solution. It’s not the simplest situation to be in.
But I think we’re doing very well, and I think we’ve come a long way in a short period of time. And it’ll get solved. It’ll get solved. Okay?
Yeah, please.
Q Sir, do you trust the Saudis to carry out an impartial investigation given that the Crown Prince is kind of in charge of it? Or do you think a third party should be involved?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we have third parties involved. We’re involved. You know, we’re involved. Turkey is involved. And I wouldn’t say they’re exactly friends. I would think that Turkey and Saudi Arabia — they’re not too friendly. And Turkey is involved, and others are involved, frankly.
I mean, it’s — people are not happy about what happened. But this is a very big turnover when you look at the number of people that they say were involved. That was a very big — that was a very important thing that they did. And they did it soon. They did it — you know, we thought it was going to be the end of next week. They did it soon, which I think is very smart.
But, no, I would have to say they have been our ally. We’ve had great relationships with them. This is a horrible event. It has not gone unnoticed. Okay?
Q Mr. President, can you speak to the family separations policy, where you’re at on that? Arizona has been one of the places where this has been going on.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we have — Mexico has really stepped up to the plate, which is very nice. I’ve said to them, “Look, you know…” We’ve been very nice to Mexico. We have the worst immigration laws in the history of the world. They’re incompetent. And, in fact, we have a great Democrat here; maybe we could negotiate some immigration laws while you’re here?
REPRESENTATIVE O’HALLERAN: I’d love to negotiate that. (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: You, I would like to do it with, because you know what you are doing.
REPRESENTATIVE O’HALLERAN: Comprehensive —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s — we have just a horrible situation with the laws. The laws don’t allow us to do anything. And then we have the judges that are, let’s say, that are giving us decisions that are horrendous. And, hopefully, they’ll be overturned in the Supreme Court, or sooner.
But I don’t know if you know what’s happening. And probably a lot of the people at the table don’t know what’s happening because this just happened. But people are coming over from Honduras; they have like 5,000 people. Honduras and Guatemala, El Salvador. And some of these people are hard criminals. Hardened criminals. Not good people. And they broke through in Guatemala. I said, “Look, we give you hundreds of millions of dollars, Guatemala. And you’re going to stop those people from coming.”
And they tried, and they broke right through, and they broke through the fences. And Mexico is now really fighting. A very tough situation. Mexican soldiers have been hurt — badly hurt, in a couple of cases. But I very much respect the fact that Mexico is willing to do this.
But these are some bad people coming through. These aren’t babies. These aren’t little angels coming into our country, and going to — you know, go to work for Boeing, and go to work for Raytheon, and for Lockheed, and do a great job. These are some hardened criminals coming in. And we’re not letting them in. We’ve got enough things right now. We’re just not letting it happen.
So, Mexico, on their southern border, is fighting them right now. Literally, fighting them. And these people are fighting, and they put all the women and children up front to show you how brave they are. They put all the women and children up front. And it’s a terrible situation.
And if we had laws, I could sit down, and you give me a group from the Democrats — I could sit down and in one hour, we would solve catch and release, by getting rid of it. You know what catch and release is, Dennis? They walk over; if they put one foot on our land, we catch them. We then take the information, because we have — it’s impossible to bring them to a court. We have to bring them to a court. So we bring them to a court, but the court is never there because you don’t have enough judges. There aren’t enough judges in the world. If you’ve got every judge in the world, you don’t have enough judges. So you catch them and you release them. And they go into our society, because you’re not allowed to release them back into theirs. And that’s one of the better ones, okay? It’s just a horrible situation.
We have the visa lottery, where we take people by lottery from countries. Now, just — you know, from a business standpoint, do you think they’re giving us their finest? We get some real beauties out of the lottery. These countries — I mean, they’re not stupid. They give us people that they don’t want. And we have to take them.
So I could sit down with Democrats and work this thing out in one hour. And we need a wall. We have to have a wall. We’re building a wall now, but we should build it very fast. We should built it — frankly, we should build it even higher, because these people — incredible. They can scale them; they can do things you wouldn’t believe.
But we have a wall, it’s going up. But we should be able to build that in one year. And we could do it in one year. So we’ll see what happens. I think this is going to be a real wake-up call for the Democrats and for the public. And for the public. People are very angry about it. Very, very angry. Okay.
Any other questions? Yeah.
Q Mr. President, what evidence do you have that these are hardened criminals trying to come into the United States?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, please. Please. Don’t be a baby. Okay? Take a look. Okay? Just take a look. Look at what’s happening. Look at the Mexican soldiers that are laying on the ground. Take a look. These are hardened — I didn’t say in all cases — but in many cases, these are hardened criminals. These are tough, tough people. And I don’t want them in our country, and neither does our country want them in our country. Okay?
Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.
END
5:45 P.M. MST.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs" into all-weather "smart" munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 pounds (227 kg) to 2,000 pounds (907 kg). When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU (Guided Bomb Unit) nomenclature, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU (Bomb, Live Unit) nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached.
The JDAM is not a stand-alone weapon, rather it is a "bolt-on" guidance package that converts unguided gravity bombs into Precision-Guided Munitions, or PGMs. The key components of the system consist of a tail section with aerodynamic control surfaces, a (body) strake kit, and a combined inertial guidance system and GPS guidance control unit.
The JDAM was meant to improve upon laser-guided bomb and imaging infrared technology, which can be hindered by bad ground and weather conditions. Laser seekers are now being fitted to some JDAMs. From 1998 to 20 August 2013, Boeing delivered 250,000 JDAM kits, producing over 40 guidance kits per day.
The World leaders demanding prayers and cooperation for denuke and peace,
ROK President visits Pope Francis on October 18th, 2018.
According to Al Jazeera's Rob McBride reported from Seoul, dated Oct 18, 2018
South Korea's president said he was certain peace could be achieved on the Korean Peninsula ahead of an audience on Thursday with Pope Francis.
Moon Jae-in is expected to extend an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the pope to visit the reclusive country.
"Our prayers today will turn into reality for sure," he said. "We will achieve peace and overcome division without fail."Arirang News Dated Oct 18th, 2018:
President Moon making the most of his time in the limelight to talk about a subject so close to his heart: "Prayers offered for peace on the Korean Peninsula will resound as echoes of hope in the hearts of the people of the Koreas as well as those around the world who desire peace. Our prayers today will surely become a reality. We'll achieve peace and overcome division without fail.
BBC reports that President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, currently holding talks with European leaders, says "North Korea's economy is in huge difficulty due to international sanctions."
UN sanctions have been imposed to pressure Kim Jong-un's government over its nuclear weapons programme. Reality Check investigates how North Korea tries to evade these sanctions. Motion graphics by Jacqueline Galvin.
Mike Pompeo Asia Trip "PRODUCTIVE" October 6 to October 8th, 2018
Travel to Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China, October 6-8, 2018
Secretary Pompeo traveled to Tokyo, Japan; Pyongyang, DPRK; Seoul, Republic of Korea; and Beijing, China from October 6-8.
In Tokyo, October 6-7, the Secretary met with Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono.
In Pyongyang, October 7, the Secretary met with Chairman Kim Jong Un.
In Seoul, October 7-8, the Secretary met with President Moon Jae-in, and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.
In Beijing, October 8, the Secretary met with his Chinese counterparts to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues.
Throughout the Secretary’s trip he reiterated the Administration’s continued focus on the final, fully verifiable, denuclearization of the DPRK, and longstanding commitment to our alliances and partnerships in the region.
CHINA
10/08/18 Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Beijing, China; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
10/08/18 Remarks With Chinese Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Yang Jiechi Before Their Meeting; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Diaoyutai, Beijing
10/08/18 Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Before Their Meeting; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Diaoyutai, Beijing
Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Beijing, China
Readout
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 8, 2018
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:
On October 8, Secretary of State Pompeo met separately with Member of the Political Bureau and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. They discussed the overall state of the bilateral relationship.
The two sides affirmed the importance of a constructive, results-oriented bilateral relationship. The Secretary directly addressed areas where the United States and China do not agree, including on the South China Sea and human rights. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability. The two sides reaffirmed their shared resolve to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, as agreed to by Chairman Kim in Singapore. The United States and China remain unified on our pressure campaign, and are committed to a bright future for the DPRK if Pyongyang denuclearizes quickly.
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Remarks With Chinese Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Yang Jiechi Before Their Meeting
Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Diaoyutai, Beijing
October 8, 2018
POLITBURO MEMBER YANG: (Translated) (Inaudible) have the opportunity today to have frank and in-depth communication with you on China-U.S. relations and other issues.
At present, the China-U.S.relationship is at a critical juncture, facing many challenges. China has made solemn representations on a series of negative words and deeds recently made by the United States, and we have stated our principles and position publicly. China will continue to take the necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own interests.
As two big countries, China and the United States can only achieve win-win through cooperation. Both sides should and must make the right choice. We hope the United States and China can meet each other halfway and conscientiously implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries at their multiple meetings. [We should] properly manage and control differences on the basis of mutual respect, and expand pragmatic cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity, so as to ensure that Sino-U.S. relationship can move forward on the right way.
Thank you.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Director Yang, it’s good to see you. Thank you for hosting me today. I appreciate it. I look forward to a good conversation. As you said, there are many issues, places where we have disagreements, and it is worthy and important that we listen to each other and work through them to find constructive solutions so that we can get a good outcome for the two of our countries.
I’m pleased to share with you the work that I did this past couple of days on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but I look forward to talking about the broad range of issues that impact our two countries and the people of our two nations, and I look forward to a good, candid, constructive conversation with you today.
Thank you very much, Director Yang.
------------------------
Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Before Their Meeting
Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Diaoyutai, Beijing
October 8, 2018
FOREIGN MINISTER WANG: (Translated) Mr. Secretary proposed a visit to China. We are willing to meet with you. Recently, as the United States continuously escalates trade frictions with China, it has also taken a series of actions that undermine China’s rights and interests regarding Taiwan and other issues, and made groundless accusations against China’s domestic and foreign policies. We believe such practice directly impacts our mutual trust. It casts a shadow over the prospects of China-U.S. relations and completely runs against the interests of the peoples of both countries.
We ask the United States to stop these kinds of erroneous practices. We believe that China and the United States should keep adhering to the right path of cooperation and win-win, rather than falling into the wrong path of conflict and confrontation.
I know that the Secretary, during this visit also very much wants to exchange views with us on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, among other regional hotspot issues. This just shows that as two big countries, two permanent members of the Security Council, we indeed need and should strengthen communication and cooperation to assume the responsibilities entrusted to us by the international community. Certainly, such cooperation should be supported by a healthy and stable bilateral relationship. I hope that Mr. Secretary’s visit to Beijing this time will play a positive role in achieving this goal. That’s all for me for now, please.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Foreign Minister Wang. Thank you for welcoming me to Beijing. I did indeed want to come here to have discussions (inaudible) the issues that you’ve characterized we have a fundamental disagreement. We have grave concerns about the actions that China has taken, and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today because this is an incredibly important relationship.
I do want to share with you my visit with Chairman Kim Jong-un yesterday and the progress we’ve made, and to make sure that we are working together on our joint mission that we’ve talked about before: the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. So I know we’ll have good, candid, frank conversations with respect to that issue and the broader set of relations between our two countries.
I regret that the Strategic Dialogue between our two countries was something that you all chose not to undertake. It would have been an important opportunity for us to have a discussion about these longer-term, important issues that present opportunities for the people of our two countries.
So thank you for hosting me today. I look forward to our conversation.
SOUTH KOREA
10/08/18 Remarks With Traveling Press; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Grand Hyatt Hotel; Seoul, South Korea
10/07/18 Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Seoul, Republic of Korea; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
10/07/18 Remarks With South Korean President Moon Jae-in; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Blue House; Seoul, South Korea
Remarks With Traveling Press
Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Stephen Biegun
Special Representative for North Korea
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Seoul, South Korea
October 8, 2018
QUESTION: So how close are you guys on the logistics for a second summit?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Pretty close.
QUESTION: Like, so an announcement should be --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Hard to know. Hard to know. Sometimes that last issue is hard to close. But we’re getting pretty close. Yeah.
QUESTION: Okay. You want to --
SECRETARY POMPEO: And most importantly, both the leaders believe there’s real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit, and so we’re going to get it at a time that works for each of the two leaders in a place that works for both of them. We’re not quite there yet, but we’ll get there.
QUESTION: Are you at a point, though, where you think it needs the top – in other words, you could – you’re not going to – it’s not – you’re not in a position now to be able to get that done? It’s got to go to the very highest level? Is that where we are?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So a couple things that came out of this. One is – and I’ll let Steve maybe make a comment here too – we will be – what’s the right way? We will be having more frequent and higher-level working group discussions than we’ve had in some time on a set of issues. So that was important good news. I think Steve’s counterpart will be Choe Son-hui. And we think – we think that’s important too. So we’ll have a chance to meet here in between the summit date as well. So we really hope we can deliver some good outcomes when the summit takes place. But we do think, right, this is a place where, ultimately, some of these big, difficult issues have to be resolved by the nations’ most senior leaders, and we’re hoping to have those presented in a way that the two leaders can resolve them when they get together.
QUESTION: All right. Last one from me. But is this kind of like the Vienna invitation that you – in your statement from --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, it’s consistent with what we were seeking to do there.
QUESTION: But not necessarily Vienna for --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Who knows.
QUESTION: No, not for the summit, but I mean --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. No, no, I’m – that’s what I’m saying. I don’t know where those – I mean, Steve, you want to say anything about it? Yeah.
MR BIEGUN: Sure. Good morning. The – so last night I issued an invitation to my counterpart to meet as soon as possible. We’re actually working on specific dates and location, and I was reassured to see today in the KCNA statement that the DPRK likewise has fully endorsed the idea that working-level talks will begin as soon as possible. So talks for the sake of talks, obviously, are no great accomplishment, but we actually have a full range of issues now to talk about too. When you combine the commitments that came out of the joint statement between the North and South in – from the Pyongyang summit as well as the issues that Secretary of State Pompeo and Chairman Kim discussed yesterday, we’re starting to see a first wave of actions we can take on all four pillars of the Singapore communique, for sure, but that’s specifically on the issue of denuclearization as well. So we’re very much looking forward to that.
Some of that is actually not even going to be about the threshold question of whether we can do this. It’s more the modalities of how we do this, and we’re looking forward very quickly to work that out with our DPRK counterparts, and really begin in earnest the process of denuclearization to fill the vision the President and Chairman Kim had from Singapore.
QUESTION: Can I ask a quick follow-up on the Trump-Kim summit? Will – are you guys ruling out Pyongyang as a location for that? I ask because North Koreans yesterday mentioned that to me as a place they’d like to see it happen. And will it happen in the next month?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Can’t answer either of those questions.
QUESTION: No? Okay. And then I guess a follow-up on the statement that Heather put out last night. Do you guys have a date for when international nuclear inspectors will be allowed onto the Punggye-ri location?
SECRETARY POMPEO: As soon as we get it logistically worked out, Chairman Kim said he’s ready to – ready to allow them to come in, and there’s a lot of logistics that will be required to execute that, but when we get them we’ll put them on the ground.
QUESTION: And in terms of forward movement on the summit between Moon and Kim Jong-un, they agreed that international inspectors would be allowed onto the – which one was it?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Punggye-ri. Yeah. And the missile engine test site.
QUESTION: Yes.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes.
QUESTION: So --
SECRETARY POMPEO: So we’re hopeful that’ll occur as well.
QUESTION: The Yongbyon site?
SECRETARY POMPEO: You need to go back and reread. You --
QUESTION: No, they said international inspectors would be allowed into the Yongbyon site if the U.S. took corresponding measures.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Fair enough. Yeah.
QUESTION: So is there any forward movement on that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: We don’t have any comment on the – again, we’re not going to talk about where we are in these negotiations except for things we have agreed to release with the North Koreans.
QUESTION: Okay.
QUESTION: Could I ask you, Mr. Secretary, you mentioned you would bring up the abductee issue with Chairman Kim. Is --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yep. We – we raise third-country issues each time we travel. The importance of making sure that we resolve all the issues, right – one of the key pillars of the statement between Chairman Kim and President Trump was that we would have better relationships, confidence-building measures. We would fundamentally change the nature of North Korea’s relationship with the rest of the world. And so there are many issues, including the abductee issue, that will need to be addressed in order to achieve that. And I think Chairman Kim understands that fully.
QUESTION: A follow-up on some of the questions about inspectors. Has it been decided which organization is going to --
SECRETARY POMPEO: I don’t have any comment on that.
QUESTION: Who is the counterpart? I’m sorry, maybe I missed it. Who is going to --
MR BIEGUN: Well, we – this is all completely up to the North Koreans. They decide who sits across the table from us, but we have reason to believe it’ll be Choe Son-hui, the vice minister of foreign affairs.
QUESTION: Who is a known quantity?
MR BIEGUN: Mm-hmm, a very experienced negotiator, well known to our side, and somebody who we think can deliver good results for Chairman Kim and President Trump both.
QUESTION: I’m sorry, she was not there yesterday?
MR BIEGUN: No.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS NAUERT: We’re heading to China today. Any questions about that?
Does anybody have anything on China?
QUESTION: Are you planning to meet with Xi Jinping?
SECRETARY POMPEO: No, I won’t be meeting with him today. I’ll be meeting with my two counterparts, Wang Yi, the foreign minister, and Yang Jiechi.
QUESTION: And do you expect them to raise the full gamut of their unhappiness with the administration, or is this just going to be a North Korea thing?
SECRETARY POMPEO: No, it’ll be a much broader discussion than that. I expect they’ll also raise the issues that they’re happy with – lots of places we find overlap in our interests as well – and we’ll explore all the places we’re working well together and all the concerns that each country has.
QUESTION: Are you worried about the Chinese and Russians’ meeting with North Korea in any way hurting the advancement that you can make in your discussions with North Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Chairman Kim was very clear yesterday in our conversation about the things that we need to do between the United States and the DPRK. That’s what we’re focused on.
QUESTION: And ahead of your meeting with Prime Minister Abe, you spoke about wanting to synchronize the countries on the situation in North Korea. Have – in the last two days, I mean, have you found that the U.S, South Korea, and Japan are on the same page or are there areas of concern or disagreement that you’re encountering?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’ve never been involved in an international discussion where there weren’t differences of view, not only between governments but inside of governments, lots of thoughts. But if you look at the approach, we are in lockstep with each of those two countries in terms of how we approach achieving the results that everyone is aimed at. And so there’ll be tactical places where we’ll have debate and disagreement. That is a necessary component of getting to the best deliverable. But with respect to our relationships with the Republic of Korea and Japan on this issue, I have found that we are in lockstep on the most important issues and how to approach them.
QUESTION: I saw a couple of Japanese officials last night, so have you already briefed them?
MR BIEGUN: I did.
QUESTION: You did. And some officials were expecting that most likely you would fly back to Tokyo.
MR BIEGUN: Well, we’re moving on to Beijing, and from there we’re flying directly back to Washington, D.C. I’ve made a point to both our South Korean and our Japanese allies that I will be available before and after every discussion so that we’re in complete alignment and have full transparency between us on the discussions. Just for scheduling purposes, the Japanese – my Japanese counterparts were kind enough to fly here yesterday evening, and we had a late-night meeting where we went through the full gamut of discussions so that we can achieve exactly what the Secretary said, which is we stay on the same page on the big, important issues, and we are.
SECRETARY POMPEO: I should mention, so you can see from Steve’s first trip with me to Pyongyang and the work that he’s done already in advance of this, he is going to be at the very center of not only managing the relationship with North Korea and achieving the ends we are, but also making sure that we’re working with not only with the Republic of Korea and Japan, but there are many countries that have a deep interest – China, others.
QUESTION: Russia.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Russia – that have deep interests in this set of issues. And Steve is going to take the responsibility to be working directly for me as the point person, making sure that we are communicating well, fully coordinated, we’re taking on information from them so that we don’t have disconnects between our allies and others with interests in making sure that denuclearization proceeds as quickly as possible.
QUESTION: It sounds like not very much sleep for you in the next couple months.
MR BIEGUN: He’s the boss.
QUESTION: Critics are going to say you guys came here, you didn’t accomplish anything new on denuclearization itself. What’s your response to that? Did you just come to set up the Trump-Kim summit?
SECRETARY POMPEO: On the process we made significant progress, we’ll continue to make significant process, and we are further along in making that progress than any administration in an awfully long time.
----------------------
Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Seoul, Republic of Korea
Readout
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 7, 2018
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo visited Seoul October 7-8 and met with President Moon and Foreign Minister Kang to give a readout of his October 7 trip to Pyongyang. Secretary Pompeo briefed on his meeting with Chairman Kim, which included his introducing Chairman Kim to Special Representative for North Korea Biegun as his chief negotiator, plans for a second U.S.-DPRK summit, and discussions on achieving the commitments of the June Singapore Summit including the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK as committed to by Chairman Kim and President Trump.
Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang also re-affirmed their commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance and continued close coordination with Japan on a unified response to the DPRK.
------------
Remarks With South Korean President Moon Jae-in
Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Blue House
Seoul, South Korea
October 7, 2018
PRESIDENT MOON: (Via interpreter) Well, first of all, I would like to say a big well done to you. It’s good to – it’s been a very important day for both – for everyone concerned, the United States and North Korea and the Republic of Korea, and I would like to thank you deeply for visiting Pyongyang in the morning and coming straight to Seoul afterwards to share the outcome of your trip. And I dearly hope that your latest visit, as well as the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit, which I hope will be happening soon, will make an irreversible and decisive progress in terms of complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula as well as the peace process. And I saw the reports today that you had met Chairman Kim Jong-un, and I’m sure that the whole world is watching with close interest about the outcome of your meeting. Since we have the media present here, I would like to ask you to disclose anything that you can open to the public here.
SECRETARY POMPEO: First of all, thank you. Thank you for hosting me, President Moon. It’s great to be here. It was important that I come here tonight on my visit today. You all have been an incredibly important part of the success that we have all had to date, but what we all hope will be the denuclearization and the change in the relationship here on the peninsula. And then, two, I don’t have much to add. I will certainly tell you in private about our conversation, but we had a good, productive conversation. As President Trump has said, there are many steps along the way and we took one of those today; it was another step forward. So this is, I think, a good outcome for all. And then I also want to express President Trump’s personal appreciation for all the hard work that you and your team have put in for making us get to this point and the summits that you’ve held. I’m confident together we can achieve the outcome that the world so desperately needs. So thank you.
NORTH KOREA
10/07/18 Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Readout
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 7, 2018
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo held productive discussions with Chairman Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang Sunday. They discussed the four elements contained in the U.S.-DPRK Singapore Summit Joint Statement signed by President Trump and Chairman Kim. They also discussed the upcoming second summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim and refined options for the location and date of that next summit.
Secretary Pompeo was joined by Special Representative Stephen E. Biegun and Chairman Kim was joined by Kim Yo-jong, First Vice Director of the Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee.
Secretary Pompeo and Chairman Kim also agreed to instruct their respective working-level teams to meet soon to intensify discussions on the key remaining issues to deliver on the Singapore Summit Joint Statement.
In addition, Chairman Kim invited inspectors to visit the Punggye Ri nuclear test site to confirm that it has been irreversibly dismantled.
President Trump looks forward to continuing to build upon the trust established with Chairman Kim in Singapore and anticipates meeting again soon.
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JAPAN
10/06/18 Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Tokyo, Japan; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
10/06/18 Remarks With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Kantei; Tokyo, Japan
10/05/18 Remarks With Traveling Press; Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; En Route to Anchorage, AK
Secretary Pompeo's Meetings in Tokyo, Japan
Readout
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 6, 2018
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:
Secretary Pompeo met today with Japanese Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Kono in Tokyo to discuss next steps on DPRK engagement. They reaffirmed our commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, and agreed that pressure must continue until the DPRK denuclearizes. Both sides affirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and vowed to continue working closely together to address common challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
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Remarks With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Kantei
Tokyo, Japan
October 6, 2018
PRIME MINISTER ABE: Secretary Pompeo, welcome back to Japan.
(Via interpreter) During my most recent trip to New York on the occasion of the UN General Assembly, I had very productive discussions with President Trump over dinner as well as our summit meeting. And I believe that utilizing these opportunities, we could demonstrate to the world that the alliance between Japan and the United States has become more robust than ever.
I and Japan highly value that you decided to visit Japan right before your planned visit to North Korea at this time. Taking this opportunity, I would like to have thorough coordination with you on our respective policies toward North Korea as well as our efforts to address the abductions, nuclear and missile issues.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Mr. Prime Minister, thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for hosting me here; I know it's a Saturday. I appreciate you and your team spending time with my team as well. We think it’s very important, and we expect it will be very productive. It’s important for us to hear from you as we – as I travel to Pyongyang to make sure that we’re fully in sync with respect to missile programs, the CBW program. We will bring up the issue of the abductees as well. And then we’ll share with you how we hope to proceed when we’re in Pyongyang tomorrow so we’ll have a full coordinated, unified view of how to proceed, which will be what is needed if we’re going to be successful in denuclearizing North Korea.
And finally, President Trump wanted me to make sure and express how much he enjoyed the time he got to spend with you in New York. And I wanted to tell you how excited I am about the openings that we now have to get our trade arrangements, our trade agreement in place. I think there’s a real opportunity. I think this is incredibly important for each of our two countries.
So thank you for hosting us again.
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Remarks With Traveling Press
Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
En Route to Anchorage, AK
October 5, 2018
QUESTION: So earlier this week you spoke about making deeper progress --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yep.
QUESTION: -- on the path towards denuclearization with North Korea this week, on this trip.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yep.
QUESTION: So what does that mean? How can North Koreans convince you that they are motivated and devoted to making deeper progress on this trip?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, so I’m not going to talk about specific negotiating positions that both sides are taking in the conversation. Here’s the objective in broad strokes.
QUESTION: Yeah.
SECRETARY POMPEO: There have been many exchanges, exchanges at the level between the chairman and the President, exchanges that I’ve had with my counterparts, exchanges at the working level, some of this with the South Koreans, so lots of conversations. That’s the senior meetings. The mission is to make sure that we understand what each side is truly trying to achieve.
QUESTION: Yeah.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Right. We know the end state. It was set out in the Singapore summit, four elements of it. So we know that piece of what we’re trying to achieve. But how it is each side is seeking to approach that and how we can deliver against the commitments that were made.
And so there are lots of requirements for this. Each side has to develop sufficient trust so they can take the actions necessary to get to the end, and then we’re also going to set up the next summit. So we hope to at least – I doubt we’ll get it nailed, but begin to develop options for both location and timing that Chairman Kim will meet with the President again. Maybe we’ll get further than that. But he’s got to --
QUESTION: So you don’t have a date, a location?
SECRETARY POMPEO: There’s no date or location yet set.
QUESTION: But after this trip, is it possible that you’ll have that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes.
QUESTION: Okay.
SECRETARY POMPEO: But I would guess there’ll still be confirmation to do. There’s complex scheduling, logistics issues --
QUESTION: Yeah.
SECRETARY POMPEO: -- that we won’t be able to resolve in the hours that we’re on the ground.
QUESTION: But a general date, a general location?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Hope so. Hope so.
QUESTION: Okay.
SECRETARY POMPEO: We may not, but I think we will. We probably won’t announce it, right. I know everybody wants to know, but negotiations don’t take place in public.
QUESTION: But that’s not a negotiation. I mean, that’s a decision.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Sure, it is. Sure, it is. We’re having conversations, moving conversations about how to achieve denuclearization. Every element of that – all the timing issues, the venue issues, those things all are material to delivering this fundamental transition between hostility on the peninsula and peace and well-being for the North Korean people. This is 70 years on, so every single piece of this is material to delivering against it.
QUESTION: When you talk about building trust, is the U.S. willing to make some moves to show that they are still building that trust?
SECRETARY POMPEO: We’ve done that. What do you mean, are we willing?
QUESTION: Additional. Additional.
SECRETARY POMPEO: What do you mean, are we willing? I mean, you ask that question in an odd way.
QUESTION: Well, what I mean is they’ve been asking for a declaration to end the Korean War, so I’m wondering if you’re willing to show that you trust them by offering that and --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Again, I’m not going to talk about any of the particulars of the negotiation.
QUESTION: Okay. So South Korea basically said that on this trip you should not press for an inventory of North Korea’s nuclear programs --
SECRETARY POMPEO: I understand, but --
QUESTION: -- because it would risk bogging down negotiations.
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’m not going to talk about any of the elements of the negotiations.
QUESTION: Okay. Are you bringing any letters, messages, presents from President Trump to Kim Jong-un?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’m not bringing anything that we’re prepared at this point to talk about publicly.
QUESTION: Okay. So no message from the President to Kim Jong-un?
SECRETARY POMPEO: The President said his message to Chairman Kim.
QUESTION: I don’t know, there have been letters back and forth.
SECRETARY POMPEO: But he said it. He spoke at UNGA about this at great length.
QUESTION: Okay, all right.
SECRETARY POMPEO: And so yes, I’ve obviously got a message. The President has tasked me and our State Department team to deliver the outcomes from Singapore and to begin to find the – look, you have to remember the history. This is not the first team that’s gone to try and accomplish this. There have been comprehensive agreements reached between the parties before.
QUESTION: Right.
SECRETARY POMPEO: And they foundered. They didn’t work. And so this has to be fundamentally different from that. I believe what Chairman Kim and the President agreed to is fundamentally different. It’s this idea that we will get to denuclearization in a fully verified, irreversible way and then we will actually deliver on the commitments to make this brighter future for the North Korean people.
And I think Chairman Kim too, that’s – when I’ve spoken to him, when I’ve heard the President speak to him, when I’ve seen his public remarks, he’s given every indication that that’s his intention too, that he understands that this is the right thing for North Korea and that this is the – that he wants to be part of delivering this great outcome for his people.
QUESTION: North Korea has a delegation they just announced yesterday going this week to Russia and to China, and then also having a meeting with Russia and China led by the vice foreign minister. What’s your reaction to that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So we talk with Choe Son-hui all the time. We know her as well. We know that China is going to be part of the solution. They’ll ultimately be – when we get to the end, we will have signed a peace – if we do this well, we will have signed a peace treaty that ends the armistice, and China will be part of that. We welcome China’s efforts to continue to enforce the UN Security Council resolutions. We’ve talked with them about that a great deal. We value their participation in this process, and so I think it’s inevitable that the North Koreans are going to talk to their longtime neighbor, the Chinese.
QUESTION: It won’t jeopardize what you can accomplish if they don’t have everyone from the North Korean side at the table with the U.S. delegation?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Chairman Kim is going to be there.
QUESTION: Okay. And then China.
SECRETARY POMPEO: And by the way, she may be back.
QUESTION: She might be, yeah.
SECRETARY POMPEO: She might be back.
QUESTION: Right.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah.
QUESTION: I mean, they haven’t said when she’s coming back, so --
SECRETARY POMPEO: Chairman Kim – we anticipate that Chairman Kim will be there to participate and that Kim Yong-chol will be there.
QUESTION: Do you hope she’ll come back?
SECRETARY POMPEO: These are the two senior leaders. It’s up to Chairman Kim who he puts in front of us to negotiate with him to work with him on the solution.
QUESTION: And then with regard to China, given the increasing tensions, the Vice President’s speech yesterday saying China is carrying out a campaign to undermine President Trump – how much more challenging does that make your conversations with Chinese officials on North Korea this week?
SECRETARY POMPEO: My conversations with the Chinese have consistently – they’ve made clear that this issue of the denuclearization of North Korea is important to them, that they want this to be successful. And they have said in spite of places where we have disagreements in other things – we’ve had disagreements on trade and the like – that they are determined to support our efforts to see this through to its completion, consistently since we first began this process.
QUESTION: Do you know who you’ll meet in China yet?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I don’t know that the meetings are set. I don’t know that the – that my interlocutors – and if it’s like the previous times, I’ll meet with Wang Yi, the foreign minister and councilor, and then Yang Jiechi.
QUESTION: Okay.
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I would anticipate that’s all I’ll meet with.
QUESTION: Thanks, Secretary.
Oct 9, 2018 VOA: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has finished up his visit to Asia with an uneasy exchange of views in China, with both concerning bilateral ties. However, Pompeo’s visit to Pyongyang, which both sides praised as productive and successful, and with his visits to U.S. allies South Korea and Japan.
Oct 8, 2018 CGTN :Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells US secretary of state to stick to cooperation
In their second meeting since June, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Washington can take the right stance on issues of common concern.
Pyongyang, October 8 (KCNA): Pyongyang, October 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sunday received Mike Pompeo, secretary of State of the United States of America on a visit to the DPRK.
Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of our party, state and army, warmly greeted Mike Pompeo and gladly exchanged greetings and had a photo taken with him at the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse.
He warmly welcomed the U.S. secretary of State's visit to the DPRK and spoke highly of him, recalling how he worked energetically for the historic DPRK-U.S. summit and the development of relations between the two countries while visiting Pyongyang several times.
Then he had a talk with the secretary of State.
Kim Jong Un estimated that progress is being made in implementing the June 12 joint statement agreed upon at the first DPRK-U.S. summit talks. He expressed his gratitude to President Trump for making sincere effort to this end, asking Mike Pompeo to convey his regards to Trump.
Together with Mike Pompeo, Kim Jong Un appreciated the positively developing situation on the Korean peninsula, explained in detail the proposals for solving the denuclearization issue and matters of concern of both sides and exchanged constructive opinions.
There was an exchange of stands of the top leaderships of the two countries on the issues arising in holding the second DPRK-U.S. summit talks to be followed by an in-depth discussion of them.
The Supreme Leader expressed his will and conviction that a great progress would surely be made in solving the issues of utmost concern of the world and in attaining the goal set forth at the last talks with the projected second DPRK-U.S. summit talks as an occasion.
There was an agreement on the issue of holding the working negotiation for the second DPRK-U.S. summit talks as early as possible, and relevant procedure-related issues and ways were also discussed.
Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over the productive and wonderful talks with Mike Pompeo at which mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged.
He hosted a luncheon at the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse where the U.S. delegation stays.
Exchanged at the luncheon were views on issues of great interest such as further activating the communication and contact and visit between the two sides for the success of the DPRK-U.S. summit and the development of the DPRK-U.S. relations.
Expressing the belief that the dialogue and negotiations between the DPRK and the U.S. based on the deep confidence between the top leaders of the two countries would continue to develop favorably in the future, too, and a good program for the 2nd DPRK-U.S. summit talks would be provided sooner or later, the Supreme Leader said good-bye to the U.S. secretary of State. -0- (2018.10.08)
Arirang News Oct 8th, 2018:
Upon beginning his Northeast Asian tour, Pompeo said that once they reach a conclusion to the nuclear negotiations, they will sign a peace treaty, and that China will be part of that process. China viewed what Pompeo called a "good and productive" meeting,and how Beijing will cooperate on North Korea's denuclearization process.
CGTN reported that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday he would coordinate closely with Japan during denuclearization talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and promised to raise the issue of the abductions of Japanese citizens in his meetings in Pyongyang.
Trump Dayz: Kim Jong Un has agreed to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said Sunday, after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang.
CBS News: 2nd North Korea summit expected after Pompeo's "productive" talk with Kim JongUn
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News, Dated Oct 7, 2018, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's fourth visit to Pyeongyang seems to have been a success.
North Korea has agreed to an inspection of one of its nuclear facilities that's already been dismantled, to prove the process is irreversible.
However, it appears the North got what it wanted as well.
Arirang News Lee Ji-won reported that North Korea has invited inspectors to visit the Punggye-ri nuclear test site to confirm it has been irreversibly dismantled.
After U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the North on Sunday, the State Department said Pompeo and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held productive discussions on the four elements contained in the Singapore Joint statement, as well as the upcoming second summit between President Donald Trump and Kim. Many watchers are viewing Pompeo's fourth visit to Pyeongyang as quite successful as it may signal the North is open to inspection and verification. The test site is where all of the regime's six nuclear tests have been conducted, and back in May, Pyeongyang blew up the site, also destroying security checkpoints and other facilities.
Despite the North's voluntary moves thus far, many are still skeptical it may be a show, which could be reversed as there were no inspectors or experts present at the site, only reporters.
To make further progress, Kim and Pompeo also agreed to instruct their respective working-level teams to meet soon to intensify discussions on the key remaining issues.
The North also seemed satisfied with Sunday's talks.
On Monday, North Korea's state-run media Korean Central News Agency reported on the meeting, adding Kim expressed satisfaction over the "productive and wonderful talks" with Pompeo, where their mutual stands were "fully understood".
Kim also reportedly expressed his belief that a "good" program will be arranged "sooner or later" for his second summit with President Trump.
Pyeongyang's reactions are in stark contrast to Pompeo's last visit in July, where North Korea slammed the U.S. delegates for only seeking unilateral demands.
But what Washington gave the North in exchange for the inspection of Punggye-ri is still unclear.
Oct 6, 2018 Wochit Politics: According to a report by CNN, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he would raise the issue of abductions as well as nuclear and missile concerns on behalf of Japan when he meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Sunday. On Saturday, Pompeo and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to work together towards "a fully coordinated, unified view of how to proceed, which will be what is needed if we are going to be successful in denuclearizing North Korea." CNN reports that Abe expressed his gratitude and said that he 'highly valued' the fact that Pompeo came to Japan directly before his visit to Pyongyang.
U.S. Department of Defense
October 4th, 2018
Mattis Holds News Conference at NATO Headquarters
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis today assured NATO’s friends and adversaries that the alliance’s unity and momentum will be up to the task in meeting the threats of today’s world.
Mattis spoke at a news conference following a meeting of NATO defense ministers at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
The defense secretary addressed the progress the organization has made in implementing decisions made at the NATO summit in July, the unity the United States has with its alliances, and relations with Russia.
“In an unpredictable world, allies have renewed their sense of urgency on all aspects of burden sharing: cash, capability and contributions,” Mattis said.
“As our alliance moves at the speed of relevance on each, we send a clear message to our friends: do not be afraid, and to any adversary: do not be foolish," Mattis said. "The current situation with Russia in blatant violation of this treaty is untenable.”
In 2017, he noted, NATO allies boosted defense budgets by a combined 5.2 percent, the biggest increase in a quarter century.
The defense secretary said Russia must return to compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty or the United States will need to respond to its cavalier disregard of the treaty’s specific limits.
Cyberattacks have become more frequent, more complex and more destructive, Mattis said. Recently, Dutch officials caught Russia’s military intelligence agency targeting the world’s chemical weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
“Russia displays blatant disregard for human life and international law,” Mattis said. “And despite denials from the Kremlin, the international community clearly sees the reality. And the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our Dutch, British and all NATO allies and like-minded countries against inhumane activity of chemical weapon use.”
Sources:Wochit Politics, VOA, Stimmekoreas,KCNA, Face the Nation, Reuters, AP,AF, Arirang News, CGTN, CBS News Youtube Mania, DOD, US Secretary State, CNN, Fox, Tweeter, Reuters, Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, October 4, 2018, October 9th,. 2018
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 'very happy' to return to North Korea
;
Arirang News dated Oct. 4th, 2018 Lee Seung-jae reported U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 'very happy' to return to North Korea that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo believes his upcoming visit to North Korea will lead to various positive developments.
That it could help lay the groundwork for another Pyeongyang-Washington summit.
Those were the words U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used to describe how he feels about his return to North Korea this weekend to continue denuclearization talks with the regime.
During a news conference at the State Department on Wednesday, the top U.S. diplomat said he was "very happy to be going back to get another chance to continue to advance the commitment" that the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. made back in their June summit in Singapore.
Pompeo also expressed optimism about the process that's underway.
"I'm optimistic that we'll come away from that with better understandings, deeper progress, and a plan forward" Pompeo declined to comment on recent negative signals from the North, including complaints about Washington's apparent reluctance to agree to a declaration to end the Korean War without major concessions.
This comes after North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong-ho said last weekend, there was "no way" the regime would disarm first without seeing trust-building measures from the U.S.
Pompeo also brushed aside suggestions there's a difference of opinion between himself and President Trump, over a timeline for North Korea to ditch its nuclear program.
Just last month, Pompeo expressed hope there would be major North Korean disarmament by the end of Trump's first term in January 2021, but a week later President Trump said he did not have a timeframe.
Pompeo stressed that in the meantime, international sanctions have to remain in place on North Korea, and added there was unanimous support for the continued sanctions at the recent UN General Assembly.
Pompeo's fourth trip to the North Korean capital on Sunday, will be all the more important, as the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun will make his first trip there, as well.
-------
Secretary Pompeo Delivers Remarks to the Media
U.S. Department of State
SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone. I want to update you on three issues, four if you want to count the – my upcoming trip to Asia, including North Korea.
First, the situation in Iraq; the second, a statement about the ruling this morning from the International Court of Justice; and finally, I want to talk about my effort to put America’s diplomatic corps back on the field.
To the situation in Iraq, Iran is the origin of the current threat to Americans in Iraq. It is to blame for the attacks against our mission in Basra and our embassy in Baghdad. Our intelligence in this regard is solid. We can see the hand of the ayatollah and his henchmen supporting these attacks on the United States.
On Friday, I ordered the temporary relocation of U.S. Government personnel from our consulate general in Basra. I also warned the Iranian Government that we will hold it directly responsible for any harm to Americans or our diplomatic facilities, whether perpetrated by Iranian forces or by associated proxies or elements of those militias.
These latest destabilizing acts in Iraq are attempts by the Iranian regime to push back on our efforts to constrain its malign behavior. Clearly, they see our comprehensive pressure campaign as serious and succeeding, and we must be prepared for them to continue their attempts to hit back, especially after our full sanctions are re-imposed on the 4th of November.
The United States will continue to stand with the people of Iraq as they chart a future based on Iraqi interest, not those dictated by Iran. Even with the temporary relocation of our staff, we are supporting the delivery of clean water to the 750,000 residents in Basra.
Now let me turn to the ICJ ruling from today. I’m announcing that the United States is terminating the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran. This is a decision, frankly, that is 39 years overdue. In July, Iran brought a meritless case in the International Court of Justice alleging violations of the Treaty of Amity. Iran seeks to challenge the United States decision to cease participation in the Iran nuclear deal and to re-impose the sanctions that were lifted as a part of that deal. Iran is attempting to interfere with the sovereign rights of the United States to take lawful actions necessary to protect our national security. And Iran is abusing the ICJ for political and propaganda purposes and their case, as you can see from the decision, lacked merit.
Given Iran’s history of terrorism, ballistic missile activity, and other malign behaviors, Iran’s claims under the treaty are absurd. The court’s ruling today was a defeat for Iran. It rightly rejected all of Iran’s baseless requests. The court denied Iran’s attempt to secure broad measures to interfere with U.S. sanctions and rightly noted Iran’s history of noncompliance with its international obligations under the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
With regard to the aspects of the court’s order focusing on potential humanitarian issues, we have been clear: Existing exceptions, authorizations, and licensing policies for humanitarian-related transactions and safety of flight will remain in effect. The United States has been actively engaged on these issues without regard to any proceeding before the ICJ. We’re working closely with the Department of the Treasury to ensure that certain humanitarian-related transactions involving Iran can and will continue.
That said, we’re disappointed that the court failed to recognize it has no jurisdiction to issue any order relating to these sanctions measures with the United States, which is doing its work on Iran to protect its own essential security interests.
In light of how Iran has hypocritically and groundlessly abused the ICJ as a forum for attacking the United States, I am therefore announcing today that the United States is terminating the Treaty of Amity with Iran. I hope that Iran’s leaders will come to recognize that the only way to secure a bright future for its country is by ceasing their campaign of terror and destruction around the world.
The third item, putting the diplomatic team from the United States Department of State back on the field: I want to talk about the fact that there are 65 nominees now sitting with the United States Senate. That’s over a quarter of all the senior-level confirmable positions that the United States Department of State is tasked with using to achieve its diplomatic outcomes. And I want every single American to know that what Senator Menendez and members of the Senate are doing to hold back American diplomacy rests squarely on their shoulders.
Both Republicans and Democrats agree that a fully staffed State Department is critical to American national security. Indeed, when I was before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Menendez told me, quote, “The problem is we have an emaciated State Department under this administration,” end of quote. Well, we’ve now done our part to fix that. He now needs to do his, and the Senate needs to do its part.
These candidates are quality candidates. They are not sitting on the Senate floor because of objections with respect to their quality, their professionalism, or their excellence and their ability to deliver American foreign policy. Wave after wave of these extremely qualified nominees have been sent to the United States Senate.
Let me give a few examples: John Richmond. He’s been stuck for 85 days while we try to make necessary progress on combating human trafficking, a priority for this administration and a shared priority of Senator Menendez. We have Kim Breier, the President’s nominee to head up Western Hemisphere Affairs, stuck for 204 days while the crisis in Venezuela and Central America continues to rage. David Schenker, the President’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Near East Affairs, is held up while the humanitarian crisis continues and while Iran continues to undermine peace and stability throughout the Middle East.
Russia is seeking to prey on our elections, but Ellen McCarthy, a 30-year veteran of the Intelligence Community and the President’s choice to head the Bureau of Intelligence and Research sits on the Senate floor.
As American forces are engaged against terrorists around the world, Clarke Cooper, an experienced military professional designated to lead the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs waits for the Foreign Relations Committee to act on his nomination.
You should know that as a former member, I completely appreciate the Senate’s advice and consent role and their duty to conduct oversight. And I understand their need to be fair and honest brokers. But that’s not what is being engaged in. We need these people. What’s happening is unprecedented. We have members of the United States Senate who – for whom partisanship has now driven delay and obstruction of getting America’s diplomatic corps into every corner of the world.
It will impact our operations, our ability. We don’t have a COO, the under secretary for management now coming on two years with no one filling that position, and enormous, complex operations keeping our diplomats safe around the world don’t have a senior leader to manage those operations. There are real, direct impacts of not having these people confirmed and I implore the United States Senate to take these quality, talented people and allow them to do what it is they have agreed to do on behalf of the United States.
And with that, I’m happy to take a couple questions.
MS NAUERT: (Inaudible). We’ll start with Lesley from Reuters.
QUESTION: Thank you very much. Mr. Secretary, does the ruling of the World Court, does that have any practical impact on what the U.S. is – on U.S. sanctions, number one? And number two, what other – what assurances can you give that this will not impact any humanitarian aid? Because the Court actually said that it was not enough, that the U.S. – that the U.S.’s assurances were not adequate.
SECRETARY POMPEO: The United States has been very clear: We will continue to make sure that we are providing humanitarian assistance in a way that delivers for the people we have spoken very clearly about, the Iranian people. We care deeply about them. We will make sure that we continue to afford the flexibility so that that assistance can be needed.
Having said that, the choices that are being made inside of Iran today – to use money to foment terror around the world, to launch ballistic missiles into airports throughout the Middle East, to arm proxy militias in Iraq and in Syria and in Lebanon – those are dollars that the Iranian leadership is squandering. They could be providing humanitarian assistance to their own people but have chosen instead a different path, a path of revolutionary effort around the world showing utter disregard for the humanitarian needs of their own people.
MS NAUERT: Nick Kalman from Fox.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask about North Korea, Mr. Secretary. The North Koreans have a new commentary saying the end-of-war declaration issue should’ve been resolved half a century ago in light of your trip coming up. Will it be resolved this weekend? And if not, what would be the reasoning against offering this?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I’m not going to comment on the progress of the negotiations on the end-of-war declaration or any other items, only to say this: I’m very happy to be going back to get another chance to continue to advance the commitment that Chairman Kim and President Trump made back in Singapore in the second week of June. I’m optimistic that we’ll come away from that with better understandings, deeper progress, and a plan forward not only for the summit between the two leaders, but for us to continue the efforts to build out a pathway for denuclearization.
MS NAUERT: Next question, Michel from Al Hurra.
QUESTION: Yeah, thank you. Mr. Secretary, Russia has delivered today S-300 systems to Syria. You said in the past that it’s a serious escalation. Are you planning to take any measures in this regard? And my second question on Iraq. Any comment on the election of Barham Salih as the president and the designation of Adel Abdul Mahdi as the prime minister?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I’ve had a chance to speak with the new speaker of the house and the new president. I’ve not had a chance to speak with the new – the president designee as of yet. I hope to do so. And I am equally hopeful that they will follow through on the commitments that they made when we spoke. These are people that we know pretty well. They’ve been around the Iraqi Government scene for some time, and what we talked about was building out an Iraqi Government that was an Iraqi Government of national unity that was interested in the welfare and future good fortunes for the Iraqi people, not controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran. It’s something that was a shared set of objectives, and I’m very, very hopeful that we can continue to work with the Iraqi people and the soon-to-be-completed, formed new Iraqi Government to deliver against that.
Your first question was about the S-300. I’m certainly not going to comment on our intention on how we will address that, but my comments before were true. Having the Russians deliver the S-300 into Syria presents greater risk to all of those in the affected areas and to stability in the Middle East. We consider this a very serious escalation.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MS NAUERT: Last question. Kylie from CBS News.
QUESTION: Hi, Secretary. Question. Can you explain to us a little bit the practical reality of the U.S. terminating the amity with Iran, and just how we’ll see that play out? And then secondly, just because we’re going to North Korea, is there any timeframe for what the U.S. wants to achieve given that last week we heard President Trump say that they’re not – the U.S. is not playing a time game, but you said that you want rapid denuclearization of North Korea completed by January 2021?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Those are entirely consistent with each other. We want it fast, but we’re not going to play the time game. My comment about 2021 was not mine. I repeated it, but it was a comment that had been made by the leaders who’d had their inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. They’d talked about 2021 when they were gathered there, and so I was simply reiterating this as a timeline that they were potentially prepared to agree to.
President Trump’s comments are exactly right. This is a long-term problem. This has been outstanding for decades. We’ve made more progress than has been made in an awfully long time. And importantly, we’ve done so in a condition which continues to give us the opportunity to achieve the final goal, that is the economic sanctions continue to remain in place, the core proposition; the thing which will give us the capacity to deliver denuclearization isn’t changing. If you heard the comments at the UN Security Council, complete unanimity about the need for those to stay in place.
The Russians and the Chinese had some ideas about how we might begin to think about a time when it would be appropriate to reduce them, but to a country, they were supportive of maintaining the UN Security Council resolutions and the sanctions that underlay them. That is a – that is a global commitment that I’m not sure there’s many issues in the world you can find such unanimity. And so my efforts this week will be one more step along the way towards achieving what the UN Security Council has directed the North Koreans to do.
QUESTION: And the practical fallout from pulling out of the treaty?
SECRETARY POMPEO: We’ll see what the practical fallout is. The Iranians have been ignoring it for an awfully long time. We ought to have pulled out of it decades ago. Today marked a useful point with the decision that was made this morning from the ICJ. This marked a useful point for us to demonstrate the absolute absurdity of the Treaty of Amity between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
MS NAUERT: Thank you, everybody. We have to go now.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Thanks, everyone.
Sources:Arirang News, Secretary of State News Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, October4th, 2018 Rev. October 5th, 2018
Secretary Pompeo's Travel to Tokyo, Pyongyang, Seoul, and Beijing
Press Statement
Heather Nauert
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 2, 2018
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will travel to Tokyo, Japan; Pyongyang, DPRK; Seoul,Republic of Korea; and Beijing, China from October 6-8.
In Tokyo, October 6-7, the Secretary will meet with Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono.
In Pyongyang, October 7, the Secretary will meet with Chairman Kim JongUn.
In Seoul, October 7-8, the Secretary will meet with President Moon Jae-in, and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.
In Beijing, October 8, the Secretary will meet with his Chinese counterparts to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues.
Throughout the Secretary’s trip he will reiterate the Administration’s continued focus on the final, fully verifiable, denuclearization of the DPRK, and longstanding commitment to our alliances and partnerships in the region.
Arirang News, Hong Yoo reports that The denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. seem to be back on track.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to visit Pyeongyang again.
On October 7th the top diplomat will be in North Korea to sit down for talks with its Leader Kim Jong-un.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Pyeongyang on October 7th to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Attention is focused on whether they will be able to make the "big deal", making progress in denuclearization and declaring end of Korean War.
This will be Pompeo's fourth visit in three months.
His visit was originally planned for last August but Trump canceled it after being unsatisfied with North Korea's progress on denuclearization.
But Trump raised the possibility for a second summit with North Korea after South Korean President Moon visited Pyeongyang for his third summit with Kim.
It is possible that Kim's message delivered by Moon influenced Trump's decision.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, when announcing Pompeo's schedule on October 2nd, said it shows forward progress and momentum that the Secretary is making his fourth trip to the North in less than a year and they look forward to the next steps in this conversation.
When asked about the possibility of declaring the end of Korean War, she said that they are closely coordinating with South Korea and Japan, and they are looking forward to having meetings with North Korea during Pompeo's visit.
Experts understand this as a possible change from the U.S. insistence on demanding denuclearization first before the declaration of the end of Korean War.
During his fourth visit, Pompeo will try to understand Kim's intentions on nuclear disarmament. He is also likely to discuss plans for a second North Korea-U.S. summit.
Sources:Arirang News, Youtube Mania, Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube , State Department catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, October 2nd,. 2018
United State President Donald Trump,
Thanks to Chairman Kim for his courage and for the steps he has taken,
though much work remains to be done.
The sanctions will stay in place until denuclearization occurs.
President Trump Special Appreciation to
President Moon of South Korea,
Prime Minister Abe of Japan, and
President Xi of China.
Remark by President Trump to the 73rd Session of the United Nations Genera Assembly | New York, NY
Remarks by President Trump to the 73rd Session of the
United Nations General Assembly | New York, NY
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: September 25, 2018
United Nations Headquarters
New York, New York
10:38 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, world leaders, ambassadors, and distinguished delegates:
One year ago, I stood before you for the first time in this grand hall. I addressed the threats facing our world, and I presented a vision to achieve a brighter future for all of humanity.
Today, I stand before the United Nations General Assembly to share the extraordinary progress we’ve made.
In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.
America’s — so true. (Laughter.) Didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s okay. (Laughter and applause.)
America’s economy is booming like never before. Since my election, we’ve added $10 trillion in wealth. The stock market is at an all-time high in history, and jobless claims are at a 50-year low. African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American unemployment have all achieved their lowest levels ever recorded. We’ve added more than 4 million new jobs, including half a million manufacturing jobs.
We have passed the biggest tax cuts and reforms in American history. We’ve started the construction of a major border wall, and we have greatly strengthened border security.
We have secured record funding for our military — $700 billion this year, and $716 billion next year. Our military will soon be more powerful than it has ever been before.
In other words, the United States is stronger, safer, and a richer country than it was when I assumed office less than two years ago.
We are standing up for America and for the American people. And we are also standing up for the world.
This is great news for our citizens and for peace-loving people everywhere. We believe that when nations respect the rights of their neighbors, and defend the interests of their people, they can better work together to secure the blessings of safety, prosperity, and peace.
Each of us here today is the emissary of a distinct culture, a rich history, and a people bound together by ties of memory, tradition, and the values that make our homelands like nowhere else on Earth.
That is why America will always choose independence and cooperation over global governance, control, and domination.
I honor the right of every nation in this room to pursue its own customs, beliefs, and traditions. The United States will not tell you how to live or work or worship.
We only ask that you honor our sovereignty in return.
From Warsaw to Brussels, to Tokyo to Singapore, it has been my highest honor to represent the United States abroad. I have forged close relationships and friendships and strong partnerships with the leaders of many nations in this room, and our approach has already yielded incredible change.
With support from many countries here today, we have engaged with North Korea to replace the specter of conflict with a bold and new push for peace.
In June, I traveled to Singapore to meet face to face with North Korea’s leader, Chairman Kim Jong Un.
We had highly productive conversations and meetings, and we agreed that it was in both countries’ interest to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Since that meeting, we have already seen a number of encouraging measures that few could have imagined only a short time ago.
The missiles and rockets are no longer flying in every direction. Nuclear testing has stopped. Some military facilities are already being dismantled. Our hostages have been released. And as promised, the remains of our fallen heroes are being returned home to lay at rest in American soil.
I would like to thank Chairman Kim for his courage and for the steps he has taken, though much work remains to be done. The sanctions will stay in place until denuclearization occurs.
I also want to thank the many member states who helped us reach this moment — a moment that is actually far greater than people would understand; far greater — but for also their support and the critical support that we will all need going forward.
A special thanks to President Moon of South Korea, Prime Minister Abe of Japan, and President Xi of China.
In the Middle East, our new approach is also yielding great strides and very historic change.
Following my trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Gulf countries opened a new center to target terrorist financing. They are enforcing new sanctions, working with us to identify and track terrorist networks, and taking more responsibility for fighting terrorism and extremism in their own region.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have pledged billions of dollars to aid the people of Syria and Yemen. And they are pursuing multiple avenues to ending Yemen’s horrible, horrific civil war.
Ultimately, it is up to the nations of the region to decide what kind of future they want for themselves and their children.
For that reason, the United States is working with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan, and Egypt to establish a regional strategic alliance so that Middle Eastern nations can advance prosperity, stability, and security across their home region.
Thanks to the United States military and our partnership with many of your nations, I am pleased to report that the bloodthirsty killers known as ISIS have been driven out from the territory they once held in Iraq and Syria. We will continue to work with friends and allies to deny radical Islamic terrorists any funding, territory or support, or any means of infiltrating our borders.
The ongoing tragedy in Syria is heartbreaking. Our shared goals must be the de-escalation of military conflict, along with a political solution that honors the will of the Syrian people. In this vein, we urge the United Nations-led peace process be reinvigorated. But, rest assured, the United States will respond if chemical weapons are deployed by the Assad regime.
I commend the people of Jordan and other neighboring countries for hosting refugees from this very brutal civil war.
As we see in Jordan, the most compassionate policy is to place refugees as close to their homes as possible to ease their eventual return to be part of the rebuilding process. This approach also stretches finite resources to help far more people, increasing the impact of every dollar spent.
Every solution to the humanitarian crisis in Syria must also include a strategy to address the brutal regime that has fueled and financed it: the corrupt dictatorship in Iran.
Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death, and destruction. They do not respect their neighbors or borders, or the sovereign rights of nations. Instead, Iran’s leaders plunder the nation’s resources to enrich themselves and to spread mayhem across the Middle East and far beyond.
The Iranian people are rightly outraged that their leaders have embezzled billions of dollars from Iran’s treasury, seized valuable portions of the economy, and looted the people’s religious endowments, all to line their own pockets and send their proxies to wage war. Not good.
Iran’s neighbors have paid a heavy toll for the region’s [regime’s] agenda of aggression and expansion. That is why so many countries in the Middle East strongly supported my decision to withdraw the United States from the horrible 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal and re-impose nuclear sanctions.
The Iran deal was a windfall for Iran’s leaders. In the years since the deal was reached, Iran’s military budget grew nearly 40 percent. The dictatorship used the funds to build nuclear-capable missiles, increase internal repression, finance terrorism, and fund havoc and slaughter in Syria and Yemen.
The United States has launched a campaign of economic pressure to deny the regime the funds it needs to advance its bloody agenda. Last month, we began re-imposing hard-hitting nuclear sanctions that had been lifted under the Iran deal. Additional sanctions will resume November 5th, and more will follow. And we’re working with countries that import Iranian crude oil to cut their purchases substantially.
We cannot allow the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism to possess the planet’s most dangerous weapons. We cannot allow a regime that chants “Death to America,” and that threatens Israel with annihilation, to possess the means to deliver a nuclear warhead to any city on Earth. Just can’t do it.
We ask all nations to isolate Iran’s regime as long as its aggression continues. And we ask all nations to support Iran’s people as they struggle to reclaim their religious and righteous destiny.
This year, we also took another significant step forward in the Middle East. In recognition of every sovereign state to determine its own capital, I moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
The United States is committed to a future of peace and stability in the region, including peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. That aim is advanced, not harmed, by acknowledging the obvious facts.
America’s policy of principled realism means we will not be held hostage to old dogmas, discredited ideologies, and so-called experts who have been proven wrong over the years, time and time again. This is true not only in matters of peace, but in matters of prosperity.
We believe that trade must be fair and reciprocal. The United States will not be taken advantage of any longer.
For decades, the United States opened its economy — the largest, by far, on Earth — with few conditions. We allowed foreign goods from all over the world to flow freely across our borders.
Yet, other countries did not grant us fair and reciprocal access to their markets in return. Even worse, some countries abused their openness to dump their products, subsidize their goods, target our industries, and manipulate their currencies to gain unfair advantage over our country. As a result, our trade deficit ballooned to nearly $800 billion a year.
For this reason, we are systematically renegotiating broken and bad trade deals.
Last month, we announced a groundbreaking U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. And just yesterday, I stood with President Moon to announce the successful completion of the brand new U.S.-Korea trade deal. And this is just the beginning.
Many nations in this hall will agree that the world trading system is in dire need of change. For example, countries were admitted to the World Trade Organization that violate every single principle on which the organization is based. While the United States and many other nations play by the rules, these countries use government-run industrial planning and state-owned enterprises to rig the system in their favor. They engage in relentless product dumping, forced technology transfer, and the theft of intellectual property.
The United States lost over 3 million manufacturing jobs, nearly a quarter of all steel jobs, and 60,000 factories after China joined the WTO. And we have racked up $13 trillion in trade deficits over the last two decades.
But those days are over. We will no longer tolerate such abuse. We will not allow our workers to be victimized, our companies to be cheated, and our wealth to be plundered and transferred. America will never apologize for protecting its citizens.
The United States has just announced tariffs on another $200 billion in Chinese-made goods for a total, so far, of $250 billion. I have great respect and affection for my friend, President Xi, but I have made clear our trade imbalance is just not acceptable. China’s market distortions and the way they deal cannot be tolerated.
As my administration has demonstrated, America will always act in our national interest.
I spoke before this body last year and warned that the U.N. Human Rights Council had become a grave embarrassment to this institution, shielding egregious human rights abusers while bashing America and its many friends.
Our Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, laid out a clear agenda for reform, but despite reported and repeated warnings, no action at all was taken.
So the United States took the only responsible course: We withdrew from the Human Rights Council, and we will not return until real reform is enacted.
For similar reasons, the United States will provide no support in recognition to the International Criminal Court. As far as America is concerned, the ICC has no jurisdiction, no legitimacy, and no authority. The ICC claims near-universal jurisdiction over the citizens of every country, violating all principles of justice, fairness, and due process. We will never surrender America’s sovereignty to an unelected, unaccountable, global bureaucracy.
America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism.
Around the world, responsible nations must defend against threats to sovereignty not just from global governance, but also from other, new forms of coercion and domination.
In America, we believe strongly in energy security for ourselves and for our allies. We have become the largest energy producer anywhere on the face of the Earth.
The United States stands ready to export our abundant, affordable supply of oil, clean coal, and natural gas.
OPEC and OPEC nations, are, as usual, ripping off the rest of the world, and I don’t like it. Nobody should like it. We defend many of these nations for nothing, and then they take advantage of us by giving us high oil prices. Not good.
We want them to stop raising prices, we want them to start lowering prices, and they must contribute substantially to military protection from now on. We are not going to put up with it — these horrible prices — much longer.
Reliance on a single foreign supplier can leave a nation vulnerable to extortion and intimidation. That is why we congratulate European states, such as Poland, for leading the construction of a Baltic pipeline so that nations are not dependent on Russia to meet their energy needs. Germany will become totally dependent on Russian energy if it does not immediately change course.
Here in the Western Hemisphere, we are committed to maintaining our independence from the encroachment of expansionist foreign powers.
It has been the formal policy of our country since President Monroe that we reject the interference of foreign nations in this hemisphere and in our own affairs. The United States has recently strengthened our laws to better screen foreign investments in our country for national security threats, and we welcome cooperation with countries in this region and around the world that wish to do the same. You need to do it for your own protection.
The United States is also working with partners in Latin America to confront threats to sovereignty from uncontrolled migration. Tolerance for human struggling and human smuggling and trafficking is not humane. It’s a horrible thing that’s going on, at levels that nobody has ever seen before. It’s very, very cruel.
Illegal immigration funds criminal networks, ruthless gangs, and the flow of deadly drugs. Illegal immigration exploits vulnerable populations, hurts hardworking citizens, and has produced a vicious cycle of crime, violence, and poverty. Only by upholding national borders, destroying criminal gangs, can we break this cycle and establish a real foundation for prosperity.
We recognize the right of every nation in this room to set its own immigration policy in accordance with its national interests, just as we ask other countries to respect our own right to do the same — which we are doing. That is one reason the United States will not participate in the new Global Compact on Migration. Migration should not be governed by an international body unaccountable to our own citizens.
Ultimately, the only long-term solution to the migration crisis is to help people build more hopeful futures in their home countries. Make their countries great again.
Currently, we are witnessing a human tragedy, as an example, in Venezuela. More than 2 million people have fled the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime and its Cuban sponsors.
Not long ago, Venezuela was one of the richest countries on Earth. Today, socialism has bankrupted the oil-rich nation and driven its people into abject poverty.
Virtually everywhere socialism or communism has been tried, it has produced suffering, corruption, and decay. Socialism’s thirst for power leads to expansion, incursion, and oppression. All nations of the world should resist socialism and the misery that it brings to everyone.
In that spirit, we ask the nations gathered here to join us in calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. Today, we are announcing additional sanctions against the repressive regime, targeting Maduro’s inner circle and close advisors.
We are grateful for all the work the United Nations does around the world to help people build better lives for themselves and their families.
The United States is the world’s largest giver in the world, by far, of foreign aid. But few give anything to us. That is why we are taking a hard look at U.S. foreign assistance. That will be headed up by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. We will examine what is working, what is not working, and whether the countries who receive our dollars and our protection also have our interests at heart.
Moving forward, we are only going to give foreign aid to those who respect us and, frankly, are our friends. And we expect other countries to pay their fair share for the cost of their defense.
The United States is committed to making the United Nations more effective and accountable. I have said many times that the United Nations has unlimited potential. As part of our reform effort, I have told our negotiators that the United States will not pay more than 25 percent of the U.N. peacekeeping budget. This will encourage other countries to step up, get involved, and also share in this very large burden.
And we are working to shift more of our funding from assessed contributions to voluntary so that we can target American resources to the programs with the best record of success.
Only when each of us does our part and contributes our share can we realize the U.N.’s highest aspirations. We must pursue peace without fear, hope without despair, and security without apology.
Looking around this hall where so much history has transpired, we think of the many before us who have come here to address the challenges of their nations and of their times. And our thoughts turn to the same question that ran through all their speeches and resolutions, through every word and every hope. It is the question of what kind of world will we leave for our children and what kind of nations they will inherit.
The dreams that fill this hall today are as diverse as the people who have stood at this podium, and as varied as the countries represented right here in this body are. It really is something. It really is great, great history.
There is India, a free society over a billion people, successfully lifting countless millions out of poverty and into the middle class.
There is Saudi Arabia, where King Salman and the Crown Prince are pursuing bold new reforms.
There is Israel, proudly celebrating its 70th anniversary as a thriving democracy in the Holy Land.
In Poland, a great people are standing up for their independence, their security, and their sovereignty.
Many countries are pursuing their own unique visions, building their own hopeful futures, and chasing their own wonderful dreams of destiny, of legacy, and of a home.
The whole world is richer, humanity is better, because of this beautiful constellation of nations, each very special, each very unique, and each shining brightly in its part of the world.
In each one, we see awesome promise of a people bound together by a shared past and working toward a common future.
As for Americans, we know what kind of future we want for ourselves. We know what kind of a nation America must always be.
In America, we believe in the majesty of freedom and the dignity of the individual. We believe in self-government and the rule of law. And we prize the culture that sustains our liberty -– a culture built on strong families, deep faith, and fierce independence. We celebrate our heroes, we treasure our traditions, and above all, we love our country.
Inside everyone in this great chamber today, and everyone listening all around the globe, there is the heart of a patriot that feels the same powerful love for your nation, the same intense loyalty to your homeland.
The passion that burns in the hearts of patriots and the souls of nations has inspired reform and revolution, sacrifice and selflessness, scientific breakthroughs, and magnificent works of art.
Our task is not to erase it, but to embrace it. To build with it. To draw on its ancient wisdom. And to find within it the will to make our nations greater, our regions safer, and the world better.
To unleash this incredible potential in our people, we must defend the foundations that make it all possible. Sovereign and independent nations are the only vehicle where freedom has ever survived, democracy has ever endured, or peace has ever prospered. And so we must protect our sovereignty and our cherished independence above all.
When we do, we will find new avenues for cooperation unfolding before us. We will find new passion for peacemaking rising within us. We will find new purpose, new resolve, and new spirit flourishing all around us, and making this a more beautiful world in which to live.
So together, let us choose a future of patriotism, prosperity, and pride. Let us choose peace and freedom over domination and defeat. And let us come here to this place to stand for our people and their nations, forever strong, forever sovereign, forever just, and forever thankful for the grace and the goodness and the glory of God.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the nations of the world.
Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
11:13 A.M. EDT
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Addresses General Debate, 73rd Session
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Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, addresses the general debate of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 25 September - 01 October 2018).
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said the world is suffering from a bad case of “trust deficit disorder”, with people losing faith in political establishments amid rising polarization and populism. Cooperation among States is more difficult, divisions within the Security Council stark, and trust in global governance fragile as twenty-first century challenges outpace twentieth century institutions and mindsets. While living standards for millions have improved, and a third world war avoided, that cannot be taken for granted. “Multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most,” he said. While a multipolar world will not in itself guarantee peace or solve global problems, shifts in the balance of power may increase the risk of confrontation, he cautioned. Leaders have the duty to advance the well-being of their people, but as guardians of the common good, they also have a duty to promote and support a reformed, reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system.
Leaders must renew their commitment to a rules-based order, with the United Nations at its centre and with the different institutions and treaties that bring the United Nations Charter to life, he stated. They must also demonstrate the added value of international cooperation by delivering peace, defending human rights and driving economic and social progress for women and men everywhere. “In the face of massive existential threats to people and planet — but, equally, at a time of compelling opportunities for shared prosperity — there is no way forward but collective, common-sense action for the common good,” he underscored. “This is how we rebuild trust"
Recalling the seven challenges he set out in his address to the General Debate at the opening of the seventy-second session a year ago, he noted that, sadly, they remain unresolved. He cited, among other things, wars in Syria and Yemen, the situation of the Rohingya people, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, nuclear peril, the use of chemical weapons, trade tensions, discrimination against refugees and migrants, and growing authoritarianism as the human rights agenda loses ground. It is the common duty of all to reverse those trends and move ahead on the basis of facts, not fear, with prevention at the heart of all efforts.
Focusing on climate change, which represents a direct existential threat, he stressed: “we have reached a pivotal moment. If we do not change course in the next two years, we risk runaway climate change.” World leaders must listen to scientists, see what is happening before their very eyes and guarantee implementation of the Paris Agreement. Voicing concern about insufficient progress at the Bangkok negotiations on implementation guidelines, he said the upcoming Conference of the Parties must be a success. The good news is that technology is on the side of progress, with the potential to create jobs and contribute to the global economy. The real danger is the risk of failing to act. Governments must end fossil fuel subsidies and establish fair prices for carbon. “Our future is at stake. Climate change affects everything,” he said, announcing that he will convene a summit on climate change in September 2019 to mobilize action and financing one year before States are to revive their Paris pledges. Only a higher level of ambition will do, he said, adding: “The world needs you to be climate champions.”
Trump Hosts a Press Conference
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much everybody. We’ve had a great three days at the United Nations in New York. And this is quite a gathering. Wow. It’s a lot of people. A lot of media. (Laughter.)
We’ve covered a great deal of territory. Just left, as you know, Prime Minister Abe of Japan. We’re starting trade talks with Japan. They were not willing, for years, to talk trade, and now they’re willing to talk trade. And I’m sure we’ll make a very good deal.
Just concluded, as you know — two days ago, signed a deal with South Korea — a trade deal. A tremendous deal with South Korea. It means a lot of business for our farmers. We’re opening up for farmers. We’re opening up for a lot of different groups.
We’re going to be able to sell much more than double the number of automobiles that we were allowed under a deal that was totally defective that was there before. And so we’re very happy with that. That deal is actually concluded.
We’re very well along the way with Mexico. The relationship is very good. And with Canada, we’ll see what happens. They’re charging us 300-percent tariffs on dairy products. We can’t have that. We can’t have that.
With China, as you know, we put out an announcement today. They would like to see me lose an election because they’ve never been challenged like this. But I want to open up China to our farmers and to our industrialists and our companies. And China is not open, but we’re open to them. They charge us 25, 35, 55 percent for things, and we charge them nothing in terms of coming into the country.
Cars, they’re at 25 percent. And we’re at 2 percent and 2.5 percent, and don’t even collect it. But we collect it now.
So we’re doing very well in our situation with China on trade. I have a great relationship with the President of China, President Xi. But it’s got to be a two-way street. It — for 25 years and longer, it was not. And trillions and trillions of dollars was taken out of the United States for the benefit of China. We just can’t have that. We have to make it fair.
So we’re at $250 billion now, at 25 percent interest. And a lot of money is coming into our coffers. And it’s had no impact on our — absolutely, by the way, no impact on our economy, which I said it wouldn’t.
In fact, steel is like the hottest industry there is. If you look at what happened with steel, we’re charging a 25 percent tariff for the dumpers. They dump massive amounts of steel. They want to put the steel companies out of business. And after they’re out of business, they’ll come in and charge five times more than you ever thought possible. And we need steel and we need aluminum. And those industries are doing well.
But steel is incredible. U.S. Steel is opening up a minimum of eight plants. Nucor is opening up plants. And these are big plants — $750 million and a billion dollar plants, in some cases.
So what’s happening with the steel industry is very exciting to me. It’s being rebuilt overnight. If you look at the miners in coal, if you look at energy, LNG — Japan just gave us some numbers that are incredible. They’re doubling the amount that they are going to be buying for Japan. They’re taking the LNG and they’re doubling it up.
I said, “You have to do me a favor. We don’t want these big deficits. You’re going to have to buy more.” They’re buying massive amounts of equipment and military equipment, and other countries are doing the same thing. Because we have trade imbalances with almost everybody. It’s a rare exception that we don’t.
So we are doing great as a country. Unfortunately, they just raised interest rates a little bit because we are doing so well. I’m not happy about that, because I know it’s going to be a question. I am not happy about that. I’d rather pay down debt or do other things, create more jobs. So I’m worried about the fact that they seem to like raising interest rates. We can do other things with the money. And — but they raised them. And they’re raising them because we’re doing so well. You know, we’re doing much better than I had projected in terms of — when I was campaigning, I said we were going to do this and we’re doing much better than anybody ever thought possible.
And, I will say, if others got in, it would have been just the opposite because they were going to put restrictions on. They were going to put regulations on. They were going to choke the economy as it was already choking, but it would have been worse. And they were going to raise your taxes. That’s what they want to do now if they ever got control, which I don’t think they’ll have control for a long time.
So, with that being said, we’ll take some questions and — yes, please. John, go ahead. We have plenty of time.
Q Mr. President, thank you very much. Of course, what you’re looking forward to tomorrow is the hearings with Judge Kavanaugh —
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q — before the Judiciary Committee. In 1991, when Joe Biden passed along to the Bush 41 White House the allegations that Anita Hill had raised against Clarence Thomas, the Bush White House asked the FBI to look into it as part of Judge Thomas’s background investigation — not a criminal investigation, but the background investigation.
THE PRESIDENT: Right. Right.
Q When these allegations were raised, why didn’t this White House do the same thing? And with all of the allegations that are coming out now about Judge Kavanaugh, was there an opportunity missed here to have investigators look into this and get some sort of clarity one way or the other?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, the FBI told us they’ve investigated Judge Kavanaugh six times, five times, many times over the years. They know him very well. But here, there was nothing to investigate from at least one standpoint. They didn’t know the location. They didn’t know the time. They didn’t know the year. They didn’t know anything. And it’s like, where do you go?
Also, it’s not for the FBI. If you look at what Joe Biden said, he said, “They don’t do this.” And he said it very clearly.
So I think when you really look at it all, it’s not going to change any of the Democrats’ minds. They’re obstructionists. They’re actually con artists because they know how quality this man is and they’ve destroyed a man’s reputation and they want to destroy it even more.
And I think people are going to see that in the midterms. What they’ve done to this family, what they’ve done to these children — these beautiful children of his — and what they’ve done to his wife. And they know it’s a big, fat con job.
And they go into a room and, I guarantee you, they laugh like hell at what they’ve pulled off on you and on the public. They laugh like hell.
So, it wouldn’t have mattered if the FBI came back with the cleanest score. And you understand that very well, John. If they would have come back with the most perfect — “We found everything, and he’s perfectly innocent of everything.” It wouldn’t have made a difference. You wouldn’t have gotten one vote.
Now we will get votes from the Democrats if we win. You’ll have three, four, or five Democrats giving us votes, because they’re in states that I won by 30 and 40 points and they’re going to give us votes.
But other than that, you probably won’t get any, John.
Yes, go ahead. Please.
Q Mr. President, there are now three women accusing Judge Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. Are you saying that all three of those women are liars? Is there anything that can be said at this point tomorrow —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q — that could cause you to withdraw the nomination? Anything at all that —
THE PRESIDENT: I won’t get into that game. I’ll only tell you this: This is one of the highest quality people that I’ve ever met, and everybody that knows him says the same thing. And these are all false — to me, these are false accusations in certain cases. And certain cases, even the media agrees with that.
I can only say that, what they’ve done to this man is incredible. You know, it’s very interesting — I pick a lot of judges. I have 145 judges I will be picking by the end of a fairly short period of time because President Obama wasn’t big on picking judges. When I got there, I said, “How is this possible?” I have 145 — including court of appeals — judges. And they just didn’t do it. You know why? They got tired. They got complacent. Something happened. I have 145 judges.
Everybody wants to be a federal judge. Not just a Supreme Court judge, I’m talking about court of appeals; I’m talking about district court. I don’t think they’re going to want to so much. I’ll be calling people, and we’ll have people calling people that do this. And people are going to be scared because we could say it about you, “Thirty-five years ago, you met some…” — and you might know — you might not know what’s going on.
What is going on? Why did they wait so long? Why did Senator Feinstein wait until the hearings were over and make this case? Why didn’t she bring it right at the beginning? When you ask about, as an example, the FBI — why didn’t they bring this right at the beginning, during the hearing? You would have had all the time in the world for the FBI. It would have been fine.
Now the FBI, as you know, did investigate this time, as they have five or six other times. And they did a very thorough investigation. But this is a big con job. And I would love to be in the room with the Democrats, close the door — you guys are all away, outside, waiting. And Schumer and his buddies are all in there laughing how they fooled you all. Let’s just stop them. A big fat con.
Yeah, go ahead.
Q But, Mr. President, if I could follow up. You have daughters. Can you understand why a victim of sexual assault would not report it at the time? Don’t you understand —
THE PRESIDENT: By the way, I only say this: thirty-six years — no charge, no nothing. Everybody —
Q But — but that happens often. I mean —
THE PRESIDENT: People are going to have to make a decision. Thirty-six years, there’s no charge. All of a sudden, the hearings are over and the rumors start coming out.
And then you have this other con artist, Avenatti, come out with another beauty today. I only say that you have to look at the facts. The senators are very capable people. They’re very good people. I know many of them. They’re friends of mine. These are very talented, very good people. And they’re going to vote. They’re going to believe what they believe.
I can — when I look at what’s happened to the reputation of a great gentleman — a great intellect; a brilliant man; somebody that has a chance to be one of our great Supreme Court Justices in history, intellectually — I think it’s a shame.
Yes, please.
Q Yes, Mr. President. My name is Tomás Regalado from Radio and TV Marti. Mr. President, yesterday at the speech at the U.N., you spoke about how Venezuela’s problem was because of Cuba and the Castros — how they went in there and they brought socialism and communism to Venezuela, and now to Nicaragua as well.
Mr. President, are you going to be more proactive now against Cuba as well?
THE PRESIDENT: I’ve been very proactive against Cuba. I don’t like what’s happening in Cuba. As you know, President Obama gave them a pass and I didn’t like it. Neither do Cuban people based in Miami and based in our country that came from Cuba and suffered in Cuba.
I don’t like what he did. I’ve ended much of it — most of it. I don’t like what’s happening in Cuba, and I certainly don’t like what’s happening in Venezuela.
Yes, please.
Q Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, just to finish really fast. You said also that you had a call-to-action to ask the leaders around the world to also end socialism. Would you like to be recognized as —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I wouldn’t say that socialism has bene working really well around the world, okay. You can take a look at Venezuela as your number one — your number one — I guess, the one that is most obvious. But you take a look around the world, socialism is not exactly riding high.
Please.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q Thank you very much. If you don’t mind, after I’m finished, if Weijia, or Hallie, or Vivian, or one of our female colleagues could go after me, that would be great.
Mr. President, just to follow up on these allegations against Brett Kavanaugh —
THE PRESIDENT: What does he mean by that? Explain. What does that mean?
Q I think it would be great if a female reporter —
THE PRESIDENT: What does it mean? No, what does it mean?
Q I think it would great if a female reporter would ask you a question about this issue. So if you don’t mind, I would ask —
THE PRESIDENT: I wouldn’t mind that at all. No. Wouldn’t mind it at all.
Q All right. Well, let me — if I could call on —
THE PRESIDENT: Wouldn’t make any difference to me.
Q All right.
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q If I could follow up on John, and John’s question. Why is it, Mr. President, that you always seem to side with the accused and not the accuser? You have three women here who are all making allegations, who are all asking that their stories be heard. And, you know, if you look at the case of Roy Moore, if you look at the case of one of your staffers, you seem to, time and again, side with the accused and not the accuser. Is that because of the many allegations that you’ve had made against you over the years?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I wasn’t happy with Roy Moore. Let’s get that straight. But Roy Moore was a Republican candidate —
Q But you stood by him.
THE PRESIDENT: — and I would have rather had a Republican candidate win. I was very happy with Luther Strange, who was a terrific man from Alabama, but Luther Strange had a lot of things going against him.
As far as women, whether it’s a man or a woman, these are — you know, it can happen the other way. Allegations can go the other way also. You understand that. And whether it was a man or a woman, 30 years ago, 36 years ago — in fact, they don’t even know how many years ago because nobody knows what the time is. That’s a long time.
And I could pick, as an example — hopefully I won’t have to do it as a replacement because hopefully this is going to go very well on Thursday. It’s going to go very well on Monday, or Saturday, or Sunday, or whenever they vote. But I could pick a woman and she could have charges made from many years ago also.
Q But don’t you understand, sir, that many of these —
THE PRESIDENT: And I would look at the character —
Q — many of these accusers —
THE PRESIDENT: No, what I have to do —
Q — are reluctant to come forward. You’ve raised doubts about these accusers. Many of them are reluctant to come forward.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t think people are reluctant to come forward. They’re going to have a chance to speak at a major — they have a major chance to speak.
Q But you’re saying why (inaudible) —
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me. Excuse me. They have a major chance to speak. And it will be tomorrow, I assume.
We’ve delayed this — meaning the Republican senators, not me. The Republicans senators have delayed this for weeks now. They’re giving the women a major chance to speak.
Now it’s possible I’ll hear that, and I’ll say, “Hey, I’m changing my mind.” That is possible. We want to give them a chance to speak. And they’re given —
Q Do you think all three should have a chance — all three should have a chance to speak?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, whoever is given a chance. We’ve delayed it a long time. But they’re going to have a big shot at speaking and making their case. And you know what? I could be persuaded also. Okay?
Yes. Please. Please, go ahead. Go ahead. I would like to go — yes, go ahead. Please.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. And a couple of questions for you to follow up on some answers that I didn’t quite hear from you, if you would allow me a couple of questions.
First of all, do you think these women — all three of them are liars? Yes or no?
THE PRESIDENT: Have they been what?
Q Are they liars?
THE PRESIDENT: I can’t tell you. I have to watch tomorrow. I have to read. I just heard about one a little while ago. I can tell you her lawyer is a low life, okay? So I can’t tell you whether or not they’re liars until I hear them.
I don’t know what happened today because I’ve been very busy with Japan, with South Korea, with China, and about seven other countries, as you know — and I chaired the Security Council.
So I don’t know about today’s person that came forward. I do know about the lawyer. And you don’t get much worse — bad reputation, too. Take a look at his past.
So, as far as the other women are concerned, I’m going to see what happens tomorrow. I’m going to be watching — you know, believe it or not. I’m going to see what’s said. It’s possible that they will be convincing.
Now, with all of that being said, Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been, for many years, one of the most respected people in Washington. He’s been on — I guess you’d call it the second highest court. And every single person knows him; a lot of people know him well. And those people don’t believe what’s going on. I can always be convinced. I have to hear it.
Q It sounds like what you’re saying is, there is a situation, there is a scenario under which you would withdraw Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. Is that correct? And have you talked about that with him?
THE PRESIDENT: If I thought he was — if I thought he was guilty of something like this, yeah sure.
Q And you will wait until tomorrow to make up your mind about it?
THE PRESIDENT: I want to watch. I want to see. I hope I can watch. I’m meeting with a lot of countries tomorrow, but I will certainly, in some form, be able to watch. And I’ll also rely on some very fair and talented Republican senators who — look, if we brought George Washington here and we said, “We have George Washington,” the Democrats would vote against him, just so you understand.
And he may have had a bad past, who knows, you know. (Laughter.) He may have had some, I think, accusations made. Didn’t he have a couple of things in his past? George Washington would be voted against 100 percent by Schumer and the con artists. I mean 100 percent. One hundred percent.
So it really doesn’t matter from their standpoint. That’s why when John asked about the FBI — if the FBI did the most thorough investigation in the history of the FBI, and they found him to be 100-percent perfect, he would lose every single vote.
Now, if the Republicans win tomorrow, I think you’re going to get some votes from the Democrats. You know why? Because — we all know why — because it’s called politics. Then you’ll probably get some votes.
Okay, let’s go.
Q And my final question, sir,
THE PRESIDENT: One more question. Yes.
Q Just to follow up —
THE PRESIDENT: She stands up: “I’d like to ask about three questions.” It’s not really fair to everyone else.
Q This will be my last one —
THE PRESIDENT: Should I let her ask another question?
(Crosstalk.)
Q — to follow up on —
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead. See?
Q — to follow up on a question that a colleague asked as well about the benefit of the doubt that you have given to people like Roy Moore, to Roger Ailes, to Bill O’Reilly, to Brett Kavanaugh. They’re all men. Why is that?
THE PRESIDENT: It’s not a benefit of the doubt. I’ve —
Q Has there ever been an instance when you’ve given the benefit of the doubt to a woman?
THE PRESIDENT: I’ve known them. Hallie, I’ve know them for a long time and — a lot of these people. A lot of people. And some I’ve been disappointed with. I have been disappointed with some. Others, like — you know, there are charges that are pretty weak.
But I’ve known people for a long time. I never saw them do anything wrong. I never saw them do anything wrong. And there are some that probably — I agree. I can tell you there are some that I — I’ve been watching for a long time. And in a couple of cases, they weren’t Republicans. In a lot of cases, they were not; they were exactly the opposite.
But I’ve been watching them for a long time. And I knew for a long time these were not good people. And they were never brought up.
Okay. Yes, ma’am. Go ahead.
Thank you very much by the way. Thank you.
Q Thank you very much, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q When the allegations first surfaced, you initially said how important it was for Dr. Ford to testify and that you wanted to hear from her.
THE PRESIDENT: I do.
Q But —
THE PRESIDENT: I wish it could have gone quicker.
Q Well, you also said that if what she said were as bad as she claims, surely her or her parents would have reported it. And just today, you said, you wouldn’t —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, there is a truth. I mean there is a chance that her parents could have reported it 36 years ago.
Q So my question is —
THE PRESIDENT: It doesn’t mean they had to report it because, in some instances, people keep it quiet. It’s a very tough situation for a woman, there’s no question about it. And in some cases, they do report it. Frankly, had they reported it, it would’ve been pretty amazing, wouldn’t it?
But I guess they didn’t, and that’s okay. I’m not saying they had to report it because it’s a very personal thing. It’s a very big problem, there’s no question about it.
Go ahead.
Q But do you want to hear her story before you draw a conclusion —
THE PRESIDENT: I’d like to hear her story, yeah. Well, we’re giving her a time.
Q — or have you already made up your mind?
THE PRESIDENT: They would’ve given her time last week. This is the United States Senate. This is the most important position that a President can give out, I think we can say, by far. I’ve actually heard it’s the most important decision a President can make. I disagree with that. War and peace — I always say, “War and peace.” And after that, Supreme Court Justice. Right?
I look forward to hearing from her. We could’ve heard from her last week; we could have heard from her for a long time. It’ll be interesting to hear what she has to say. Okay?
Q And let me follow up on Jim’s question. Mr. President, let me follow up on Jim’s question that I don’t think we got an answer to.
THE PRESIDENT: Which one? Which question? Who?
Q How have your personal experiences being accused by more than a dozen women of sexual misconduct —
THE PRESIDENT: I’ve been accused. I’ve been accused. False accusations.
Q — right, how have those —
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me. I’ve been accused. And I was accused by — I believe, it was — four women. You can check with Sean Hannity. You can check with Fox, because they covered it very strongly — who got paid.
Q And how has (inaudible) —
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me. Excuse me. I was accused by four or five women who got paid a lot of money to make up stories about me. We caught them, and the mainstream media refused to put it on television. They refused to even write about it.
There were four women, and maybe more — I think the number is four or five. But one had a mortgage paid off her house, $52,000. Another one had other things happen. And the one that reported it, I believe, was offered $750,000 to say bad things about me — and she is the one that reported it. This woman is incredible. She reported it, instead of taking the money.
So I’ve had numerous accusations about me.
Q Right.
THE PRESIDENT: I mean, they made false statements about me, knowing they were false. I never met them. I never met these people. And, what did they do? What did they do?
They took money in order to say bad things. I’ve had stories written in the New York Times — front page — about four women. The whole top center front page of the New York Times. I think it was four big pictures.
I said, “Wow. That’s a big thing. What’s that?” These were women that were quoted saying bad things about me. Not the worst things about me, but bad things. And I said, “Gee, that’s too bad.” I knew them a long time ago — 15 years ago, 20 years ago. I said, “That’s too bad. I’m surprised at them.”
And then all of a sudden I see them on television — nothing to do with me. The next day or a day later, they were incensed. They said, “Donald Trump is a nice guy. We never said this. The New York Times did false reporting. They’re fake news.” And you know what? The New York Times would not report that their story was fake.
These women said great things. Not only did they not say the bad stuff, they said great things about me. Front page. And those women — they’re incredible women — they went on television — and they didn’t want to, and I didn’t ask them. And they said, “The New York Times made it up. They gave false quotes.” And they went on a lot of shows. They were really incensed and they couldn’t believe it.
That’s why people know that a lot of the news is fake. And a lot of the people sitting here are fake. But 20 percent of them are wonderful. Okay?
Q If I could just actually ask my question, Mr. Trump. I — you didn’t let me ask my question.
THE PRESIDENT: You’ve been asking a question for 10 minutes, all right?
Q No, you interrupted my question.
THE PRESIDENT: Please sit down. Please.
Q I’m asking you —
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead. Go ahead.
Q — how did those impact your opinions on the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it does impact my opinion. You know why? Because I’ve had a lot of false charges made against me. I’m a very famous person, unfortunately. I’ve been a famous person for a long time. But I’ve had a lot of false charges made against me — really false charges.
I know friends that have had false charges. People want fame. They want money. They want whatever. So when I see it, I view it differently than somebody sitting home watching television, where they say, “Oh, Judge Kavanaugh…” this or that.
It’s happened to me many times. I’ve had many false charges; I had a woman sitting in an airplane and I attacked her while people were coming onto the plane. And I have a number-one bestseller out? I mean it was total phony story. There are many of them.
So when you say, does it affect me in terms of my thinking with respect to Judge Kavanaugh? Absolutely. Because I’ve had it many times.
And if the news would have reported these four people — I couldn’t believe it. When I heard that they caught these four people, I said, “Wow. That’s a big story.” And it was — for Fox. Okay.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Earlier today and just now, you made a significant allegation against the Chinese government. You suggested that the Chinese —
THE PRESIDENT: I did.
Q — had meddled in or are meddling in —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right. That’s what I hear.
Q — the 2018 midterm elections.
THE PRESIDENT: That’s what I hear.
Q What evidence do you have of that, sir? Is there a national intelligence estimate, for example, that you’re prepared to put forward?
THE PRESIDENT: We have evidence. We have evidence. It’ll come out. Yeah, I can’t tell you now, but it came — it didn’t come out of nowhere, that I can tell you.
Now, if you — they’ve actually admitted that they’re going after farmers. I mean, I think most of you can cover that.
I like that you’re shaking your head, “yes.” I’m going to ask you the next question because of that. Okay? It’s probably going to be the killer of all questions. (Laughter.) But let me just explain —
Q But why make the charges now —
THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no. Let me —
Q — if you’re not prepared to come forward with the evidence, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: China, now, put on $250 billion, and they’re paying 25 percent on that. They’re paying billions and billions. This has never happened to China. And I like China. And I like President Xi a lot. I think he’s a friend of mine. He may not be a friend of mine anymore, but he — I think he probably respects —
From what I hear — if you look at Mr. Pillsbury, the leading authority on China — he was on a good show — I won’t mention the name of the show — recently. And he was saying that China has total respect for Donald Trump and for Donald Trump’s very, very large brain. He said, “Donald. Donald Trump. They don’t know what to do.” It never happened.
Well, one thing they are trying to do is they are trying to convince people to go against Donald Trump. Because a normal, regular, political person that has no concept of what the hell he’s doing would let China continue to take $500 billion a year out of our country and rebuild their country.
I mean, they were building 29 massive bridges like the George Washington Bridge. They’re building things that we don’t build anymore. But we’re starting to build them again.
And our economy now is hotter than it’s ever been. I don’t know you if you saw the confidence levels this morning that just came out. Fantastic.
And in all fairness to the Fed raising rates, they’re raising rates because we’ve never done like we’re doing now. And one of the things that is nice about the rates — the people that were hurt the worst by these zero interest rates and, you know —
When President Obama had an economy that was — it was the worst comeback since the Great Depression and all that — you’ve all heard that. But remember, he was playing with zero-interest money. He was playing with funny money. That’s easy. I’m playing with fairly expensive money.
So when he does that, the people that benefit are people that actually — in their whole life, they would save 10, 15, 20 percent of their salary and put it in the bank. Those people got killed because they put their money in the bank. They were going to live off the interest, and there was no interest.
Now, those people are starting to get interest. And those are the people, frankly, that deserve to — you know, they did a great job. The people that did it right, the people that did the best job got hurt the most.
So in one sense I like it, but basically I’m a low-interest-rate person. I hate to tell you.
Yes. Yes, ma’am. Yes. Yes, go ahead.
Q Mr. President, you have another meeting tomorrow with Rod Rosenstein.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q Are you planning to fire Rod Rosenstein?
THE PRESIDENT: I’m talking to him. We’ve had a good talk. He said he never said it. He said he doesn’t believe it. He said he has a lot of respect for me, and he was very nice and we’ll see. And he’s a member of the Trump administration, in that sense; it’s the Justice Department.
I would certainly prefer not doing that. There was no collusion. There was no obstruction — I mean, unless you call obstruction the fact that I fight back. I do fight back. I really fight back. I mean, if you call that obstruction, that’s fine.
But there’s no obstruction. There’s no collusion. I’m going to meet with him tomorrow. I may call Rod tonight or tomorrow and ask for a little bit of a delay to the meeting, because I don’t want to do anything that gets in the way of this very important Supreme Court pick. So I don’t want it competing and hurting the decision — one way or the other decision. Again, I want to hear what she has to say.
But I want to do — so I may delay that. I’m going to see. I don’t want to do anything that’s going to conflict with that. But my preference would be to keep him, and to let him finish up.
You know, I call it a “witch hunt.” And it is a witch hunt. If you look at the FBI statements with Strzok and his lover Lisa Page. If you look at all of the things that have gone on in the FBI. If you look at McCabe taking $700,000 from a Hillary Clinton-PAC essentially run by Terry McAuliffe, who’s her best friend in the world, and he gives them hundreds of thousands of dollars. And he’s in charge of her campaign, and his wife is getting all of this money to run — she lost — to run. I mean, what’s going on?
If you look at the horrible statements, like “Way to go, Page. Great story you put into a newspaper.” Essentially, now we’ll go and investigate that group. It’s terrible. We have caught people doing things that are terrible.
I would much prefer keeping Rod Rosenstein. Much prefer. Many people say I have the right to absolutely fire him. He said he did not say it. He said he does not believe that. And nobody in this room believes it.
By the way, I deal with the people in this room. I was with Mike Pompeo before, and we were dealing, at a very high level, with Japan. And I was saying things that nobody in the room even understood. And I said them a long time ago, and I was right. He said, “That’s not the 25th Amendment that I’m looking at.” I think I can say that from Mike.
Q So you don’t think anyone in your administration has ever discussed using the 25th Amendment against you?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t think so. Well, yeah — enemies, sure. You use anything you can.
Q Was it in your administration or your Cabinet?
THE PRESIDENT: Hey, you use anything they can. They’re not in love with me. They’re not going to beat me in the election; they know that. They’re not going to beat me. The people that I’m looking at are total lightweights. I dream of running against those people.
Q But within your administration?
THE PRESIDENT: Maybe they’ll come up with somebody that’s not — they’re not going to beat me. I’m against what they want to do. I’m in favor of law enforcement. I’m in favor of safety and security, and low taxes. I want low taxes.
I want borders. We’re getting another $1.6 billion in borders. I want borders. We’ve spent $3.2 [billion] and we’re getting another $1.6 [billion]. And then eventually, we’re getting the whole thing and we’ll complete the wall.
They don’t want that. They don’t want that. They don’t want the things that I have.
Now, I must say, I know many of the Democrats. They’ll say things and then wink at me. And again, it’s the same old story. They’ll say things; they don’t mean it. Its politics. The reason they don’t want me is because they want to run the show. They want it. It’s power. It’s whatever you want to call it. But what they’ve done here is a disgrace. A total disgrace.
And what they do — I know, it’s sort of interesting — in one case, they say, “He’s a fascist. He’s taking over the government. He’s the most powerful President ever. He’s a horrible human being. He wants to take over the entire government, and he’s going to do it. We can’t stop him.” That didn’t work.
The next week, he said, “Uh, he’s incompetent.” I said, “Well, wait a minute.” In one case, I’m taking over the world. And in the other case, “He’s incompetent.” They tried that for a week. That didn’t work.
Look, these are very dishonest people. These are con artists. And the press knows it, but the press doesn’t write it.
Wow. That’s a lot of hands. That’s a lot of — oh, Steve, go ahead. He is a very high quality person, this man. But he’ll probably hit me with a bad one. (Laughter.)
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Why —
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead. Give it to me. Give it to me, Steve. Reuters.
Q You’re getting letters from Chairman Kim. Why do you need a second summit with the North Korean leader so soon? And what do you —
THE PRESIDENT: Because he’d like it.
Q What would it be for?
THE PRESIDENT: So I’ve received two letters from Chairman Kim. At some point, I’ll, you know, give these letters — they’re incredible letters. They’re letters that are magnificent in the sense of his feeling for wanting to get this done. I really believe he wants to get it done. I may be wrong.
I heard somebody on a certain network last night — I won’t mention which one — say, “Why has President Trump given so much to North Korea?” I said, “Wait a minute.” I asked Sarah Huckabee, “Please call this person.” I gave nothing — other than I met. What did I give them?
I didn’t do what Obama did: Give them $1.8 billion in cash to get back four hostages. I got back our hostages; I never paid them anything. I haven’t paid them 10 cents.
But he wants to make a deal and I’d like to make a deal. We actually have a very good relationship together — a lot different than the last time I was at the United Nations. That was a little bit rough.
Don’t forget, that time, they said, “Oh, Trump is saying these horrible things. He’s going to get us into a war.” You were going to have a war. If I wasn’t elected, you’d be in war. And President Obama essentially said the same thing. He was ready to go to war.
You would have had a war, and you would have lost millions, not thousands. You would have lost millions of people. Seoul has 30 million people — 40 miles and 30 miles from this very dangerous border. If I wasn’t elected, you would have had a war.
President Obama thought you had to go to war. You know how close he was to pressing the trigger for war? Millions of people. With me, nobody is talking about that. Nobody is talking about that.
We have a very good relationship. He likes me. I like him. We get along. He wrote me two of the most beautiful letters. When I showed one of the letters — just one — to Prime Minister Abe, he said, “This is actually a groundbreaking letter. This is an incredible — this is a historic letter.” And it is a historic letter. It’s a beautiful — it’s a beautiful piece of art. And I think we’re going to make a deal.
Will we make a deal, Steve? I don’t really know. But I think we’re going to.
In the meantime — and I’ve said it a thousand — I don’t want to bore you: no rockets, no missiles, no nuclear tests — you know, for over a year, where you haven’t seen.
Before I got here, everybody in this room thought you were going to war. And then what happened — it was funny — they said, “He was terrible. He was so rough with Chairman Kim — Kim Jong Un. He was so rough. It’s terrible. He’s going to cause…”
Well, I had a great meeting with President Putin. And on that one, they said, “He was too soft with President Putin.” I had a great meeting with the President. It lasted for two hours. We discussed everything: Ukraine, Syria, Israel and Israel’s protection. We had a great meeting. They wanted me to end up in a boxing match.
And you know what? If I was killer-tough with President Putin, they would have said, “He was too tough.” You can’t win with these people, but you just keep going. In the meantime, we’re doing well.
Go ahead.
Q So how do you — how long do you —
THE PRESIDENT: Wait. One second.
Q How long do you think it should take North Korea to denuclearize?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know. I don’t want to get into —
Q We’ve seen estimates of one year, two year —
THE PRESIDENT: Steve, I don’t want to get into the time game. You know why? I told Mike Pompeo, I said, “Mike, don’t get into the time game.” We stopped them. They’re taking down plants. They’re taking down a lot of different testing areas. They’re going to take down some more. You’ll be hearing about that very soon. I don’t want to go ahead of myself, but you’ll be hearing about it soon. They have no interest right now in testing nuclear.
You know, we had a case just about when I was coming into office — you all remember it — where there was a massive — they thought it was an earthquake. A mountain moved over an inch and a half. We’re talking about mountains. You know, North Korea is very mountainous. Beautiful land. Beautiful. This mountain actually shifted. It shifted. And somebody thought it was an earthquake. And then they found out, no, this was nuclear testing. Shifted a mountain. Now I’m talking about serious stuff. Serious size.
When I came in, and certainly before I came in — and even at the beginning of mine because when I was having rhetorical contests — you know, contests, really, I guess you could call it — with Chairman Kim, which we both smile at now and we laugh at. But everybody thought that was a horrible thing.
We’ve had — many Presidents were unable to do anything, anything at all with North Korea. We now have a good relationship. We have a good relationship. And most importantly, all of the things that you’ve been hearing about –the horror stories — in my opinion, they’re gone.
Now, could they start up again? Yes. I’m a deal guy. Could they start? Yeah. Could be that we don’t work it out.
I think — I have it right here — I think that what we’ve done behind the scenes, which nobody really knows about — and I don’t blame you for not knowing about, you know, personal letters, private letters. But saying they want to get it done. We know much more than the media for a change. Much more. But if you saw what’s going on behind the scenes, I think you’d very impressed.
We were a country going to war. I really believe that President Obama would admit that he said it’s by far his biggest problem. When I sat with him, prior to going to office — going into office, he said to me that’s by far the biggest problem. And he said to me that he was very close to going into war.
And millions of people — not — you know, I — they say, “Oh, thousands of people…” No, no, no, not thousands. Millions of people would have been killed. And that could have left — you’re right next to China. You’re right — that could have been a world war very easily.
Right now, we’re in a great position. I don’t want to play the time game. I told Mike Pompeo, “Don’t let them do that to you.” I haven’t given anything.
And all of a sudden — we got back, it was a few weeks ago. I think we were back like two and a half months from the summit, which was a great success. And people are screaming, “What’s taking so long?” I said, “Oh, I get it.” You got to understand the media. I’ve been dealing with the media all my life. Too much. Too much.
They’re screaming and I saw that. And our guys were — and not Mike — but our guys were being, “Oh well, we’re working as fast…” I said, “I got all the time in the world. I don’t have to rush it.” There’s no — you know, secession of sanctions. We got the sanctions on. I didn’t take any sanctions off.
I did see a reporter last night — a guy I like, personally, a lot. And he asked a question to President Moon of South Korea. He said, “Why did the President give so much?” I didn’t give anything. I gave nothing. What have I given, other than some time? Yes, I flew to Singapore. We had a meeting.
Now, giving would be if I took the sanctions off. I didn’t want to do — if you asked General Mattis, for a year and a half, I said, “Why don’t we stop these ridiculous,” in my opinion, “the military games?” I call them the “military games.” If I told you how much those games cost — and, frankly, I told South Korea, “You should be paying for these games.” We pay for them.
They say, “Well, we fly the planes in from a short distance away.” I said, “Where is that?” “Guam.” “Oh, huh. How long a trip is that?” “Seven hours.” “Oh, great.” We’re flying these massive bombers and everything. I’ve wanted to stop this for a long time. I consider that an asset.
But we’ve done — we’re saving, by the way — just for the taxpayer, we’re saving a fortune. And if we need them, we can start them up immediately. If I think we need them, I’ll start them before the generals will start them.
The fact is, this reporter said that. I said, “What have we done? I haven’t given anything.” And we’re really onto the cusp. I think we’re really going to do something that’s going to be very important.
But we’re not playing the time game. If it takes two years, three years, or five months, it doesn’t matter. There’s no nuclear testing and there’s no testing of rockets.
Yes, ma’am. Go ahead. Go ahead. Please.
Q Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: This is the one that was nodding with every nice thing I said, so watch this question.
Q It’s a habit of mine. Hannah Thomas-Peter from Sky News.
THE PRESIDENT: You’re with who?
Q Hannah Thomas-Peter from Sky News.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, good. Sky News.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Congratulations on the purchase. (Laughter.)
Q Nothing to do with me.
THE PRESIDENT: I hope you benefited. (Laughter.) Go ahead.
Q Are you at all concerned at the message that has been sending — being sent to the women who are watching this when you use language like “con job” in relation to allegations of sexual assault?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I’ve used much worse language in my life than “con job.” That’s like probably the nicest phrase I’ve ever used. I mean, con job — it is. It’s a con job. You know, confidence — it’s a confidence job. But they short — it’s a con job by the Democrats. They know it.
Q What about the message that’s being sent to women who are watching?
THE PRESIDENT: They did the same thing with the Russia investigation. They tried to convince people that I had something to do with Russia. There was no collusion.
Think of it. I’m in Wisconsin. I’m in Michigan. I say, “Gee, we’re not doing well.” I won both those states. “We’re not doing well. Uh, let me call the Russians to help.” Does anybody really believe that? It’s a con job.
And I watch these guys — Little Adam Schiff, and all of the guys. He takes a call from a Russian who turned out to be a faker. You know, he was a comedian or something. “This is so-and-so calling for…” — he took the call. Why is the taking a call from a Russian?
Senator Warner took a call from a Russian. He was a comedian or something, but he said, “We have pictures of President Trump.” “Oh, where can I get them?” If we ever did that, it would be like a big deal.
Yeah, it’s a con job. And it’s not a bad term. It’s not a bad term at all.
Q Are you worried —
THE PRESIDENT: I’ll tell you one thing I can say: I’ve had a lot of people talking about this to me, with respect to what’s happening, because it’s a horrible precedent.
I’m going to have to get other judges and other Supreme Court judges, possibly. I could have a lot of the Supreme Court judges, more than two. And when I called up Brett Kavanaugh — spoke to him and his family — and told them that I chose them, they were so happy and so honored. It was as though — I mean, the biggest thing that’s ever happened. And I understand that — U.S. Supreme Court.
I don’t want to be in a position where people say, “No, thanks. No, thanks. I don’t want to.” You know, “I spoke to somebody 38 years ago, and it may not be good.” We have a country to run. We want the best talent in the world.
But I’ll tell you this: The people that have complained to me about it the most — about what’s happening — are women. Women are very angry.
You know, I got 52 percent with women. Everyone said, “This couldn’t happen — 52 percent.” Women are so angry. And I, frankly, think that — I think they like what the Republicans are doing, but I think they would have liked to have seen it go a lot faster. But give them their day in court. Let her have her day in court. Let somebody else have a day in court.
But the ones that I find — I mean, I have men that don’t like it, but I have women that are incensed at what’s going on. I’ve always said women are smarter than men. I’ve said that a lot and I mean it. But women are incensed at what’s going on.
Yes, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead, in the back.
Q Sorry. It’s me?
THE PRESIDENT: Who are you? Or where are you from?
Q It’s me? It’s me?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, you. (Laughter.) The guy looks — guy looks like he’s shocked. That’s not — this is going to be not good.
Q It’s going to be good, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: The guy looks totally like stunned that I — have you ever been picked before for a question? (Laughter.)
Q Yes, sir, but not from President of the United States.
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead. Go ahead. Give me a question.
Q Thank you very much. My name is Majeed Gly from Rudaw Media Network. I want to, sir, ask you — you always talk about —
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me, you said where? From where?
Q Rudaw Media Network from Kurdistan region, north of Iraq.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay.
Q I’m a Kurd. Sir —
THE PRESIDENT: Good. Good. Great people.
Q Thank you, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Great people.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you.
Q Mr. President. Mr. President, I want to —
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Are you a Kurd?
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Good.
Q Mr. President —
THE PRESIDENT: They’re great people. They’re great fighters. I like them a lot. Let’s go. I like this question so far.
Q Mr. President, you always say you support your allies. Kurds right now, after the defeat of ISIS, are under a lot of pressure in Syria and in Iraq by many adversaries.
THE PRESIDENT: It’s true.
Q What will you do to elevate their position to support them in order — after they help the United States to defeat ISIS? Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we are helping them a lot and we’ve been very friendly with them. And, as you know, we’ve fought side-by-side. And we have defeated ISIS, essentially, a very short while ago, in the Middle East. And we did it with a lot of help from the Kurds. And they are — they’re great fighters.
You know, some people are great fighters and some people aren’t. The Kurds are great fighters. And they’re great, great people. And we’re going to be working — we’re discussing that situation exactly right now.
Q What will you do to support them, sir, (inaudible) Syria?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I’m just telling you, we’re going to be discussing that situation. We have already started discussing that situation. But we have tremendous support from the Kurds in defeating ISIS. Okay?
Q And about Syria: Sir, in your speech you did not mention —
THE PRESIDENT: Uh, yes. Go. Uh oh.
Q Here we go. (Laughs.)
THE PRESIDENT: You don’t need it.
Q Mr. President, Susan Li from Fox Business. Did you reject a one-on-one meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I did.
Q Why?
THE PRESIDENT: Because his tariffs are too high, and he doesn’t seem to want to move, and I’ve told him, “Forget about it.” And frankly, we’re thinking about just taxing cars coming in from Canada. That’s the motherlode. That’s the big one. We’re very unhappy with the negotiations and the negotiating style of Canada.
We don’t like their representative very much. They’ve taken advantage — I love Canada, by the way. I have so many friends. I have everybody, and so many friends. But that has nothing to do with this; I’m representing the United States.
Mexico was totally — I mean, they were great. By the way, the new President has been great. The deal is done. Now, it has to go through Congress and, you know, a lot things have to happen. But we’ve done — Bob Lighthizer, who’s here someplace. Where’s Bob? Bob. Bob Lighthizer has done a great job of negotiating, as they have. But the deal is done. It’s up to Congress.
Q And, Mr. President —
THE PRESIDENT: But Canada has treated us very badly. They’ve treated our farmers in Wisconsin, and New York state, and a lot of other states very badly.
Dairy products — 300 percent. Three hundred percent. How do you sell a dairy product at 300 percent? The answer is: You don’t. What it is, is a barrier. It’s — basically, they’re saying, “We don’t have any barriers. By the way, it’s 300 percent.” So you don’t send it in, because you can’t compete.
So Canada has a long way to go. I must be honest with you, we’re not getting along at all with their negotiators. We think their negotiators have taken advantage of our country for a long time. We had people that didn’t know what they were doing. And that’s why we had — over the last five or six years, if you average it out, we had $800 billion a year in trade losses. It’s ridiculous. It’s not going to happen.
Q What about NAFTA? Sir, Mr. President, NAFTA —
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q What does that mean for NAFTA? Will you be pulling out of NAFTA?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t like NAFTA. I never liked it. It’s been very bad for the United States. It’s been great for Canada. It’s been great for Mexico. Very bad for us.
Q But will you pull out of the —
THE PRESIDENT: I’m not going to use the name “NAFTA.” I refuse to use it. I’ve seen thousands of plants and factories close. I’ve seen millions of jobs lost to auto companies that moved. I mean, Mexico has 25 percent of our auto business now because of NAFTA.
Under our deal, it’s not going to happen anymore. I hate to tell you, it’s not. We’re going to keep companies. And I told the Mexicans, I said, “We have to keep companies.” But they’re getting a lot, also. They’re getting other things. They’re getting a lot of good things. Mexico made a very good deal.
But with Canada, it’s very tough. What we’re doing is if we made a deal with Canada — which is, you know, a good chance still. But I’m not making anything near what they want to do. We’re going to be fair.
Q But you’re — are you going to notify Congress of pulling out of NAFTA?
THE PRESIDENT: What we’re probably going to do is call it the “USMC.” Like the United States Marine Corps, which I love. General Kelly likes it even more. Where’s General Kelly? He likes that. “USMC” — which would be U.S., Mexico, Canada. But it’ll probably or possibly be just “USM.” It’ll be United States and Mexico.
Q Yes or no, are you going to —
THE PRESIDENT: Canada will come along. Now, if Canada doesn’t make a deal with us, we’re going to make a much better deal. We’re going to tax the cars that come in. We will put billions and billions of dollars into our Treasury. And frankly, we’ll be very happy because it’s actually more money than you can make, under any circumstance, with making a deal. Okay?
Good job, too. You do a very good job. Really good. Yes, please. Mr. Kurd.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. (Laughter.) (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q Thank you very much for your time, Mr. President. Two, quickly, questions: What will be the U.S.A. relations with the Kurds —
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I thought I just answered that.
Q — post-ISIS. Post-ISIS.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. We’re trying to get along very well. We do get along great with the Kurds. We’re trying to help them a lot. Don’t forget, that’s their territory.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: We have to help them. I want to help them.
Go ahead, what’s next?
Q Then, what —
THE PRESIDENT: They fought with us. They fought with us. They died with us. They died. We lost — tens of thousands of Kurds died fighting ISIS. They died for us and with us. And for themselves. They died for themselves. But they’re great people. And we have not forget — we don’t forget — I don’t forget. What happens someday later — but I can tell you that I don’t forget. These are great people.
Okay. Yes, ma’am. Please. Please —
Q About Iran, Mr. President. About Iran, one question: What is your clear plan to stop Iranian influence in Iraq, in Syria, and especially in Iraqi Kurdistan?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think you’ve seen that. I must tell you, it’s — I don’t mind your question because —
Q Raheem Rashidi, from Kurdistan TV. Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: I think there’s been no greater change — other than maybe China, because China — unfortunately, their markets have dropped — would you say, 30 percent in the last four months, right? I think I watched you recently when you said that. I said, “I think she’s wrong. I think it’s actually 32. But that’s okay.” But a lot.
There’s been no — other than maybe that, but even that. Because China is a very special place. And Iran is a very special place. But I think there’s been no country that’s changed so much as Iran.
In the last six months, since I took off the horrible, horrible Iran nuclear deal, as they called it — one of the dumbest deals ever made. As an example, why didn’t they take care of Yemen in the deal? Why didn’t they take care of Syria in the deal? You know what Kerry said — the reason? “It was too complicated.”
We’re giving $150 billion, we paid $1.8 billion in cash — cash. This whole room would be filled up with hundred-dollar bills. And you’d need probably five rooms like this. But you have $1.8 billion in cash. Why didn’t we take care of Yemen? Why didn’t we take care of Syria and other? And he said, “Because it was too complicated.” Well, you just gave all your cards. You gave them $150 billion. And now Yemen’s a mess, but it’s getting better.
And Syria’s a mess. And I was responsible — and I hope it stays that way — when I put out on social media, a few weeks ago, about Idlib Province. I said, “Don’t do it.” And I’ll tell you, it happened — where I was at a meeting with a lot of supporters, and a woman stood up and she said, “There’s a province in Syria with 3 million people. Right now, the Iranians, the Russians, and the Syrians are surrounding their province. And they’re going to kill my sister. And they’re going to kill millions of people in order to get rid of 25,000 or 35,000 terrorists or enemies of theirs.” But I think we can call them terrorists.
And I said, “That’s not going to happen.” I didn’t hear of Idlib Province. And I came back to New York, and I picked up the failing New York Times — I hate to admit it was the New York Times, but it was the failing New York Times. And I opened it up — not on the front page, but there was a very big story. I said, “Wow, that’s the same story that the woman told me that I found hard to believe.” Because why would — how would anyone do that with 3 million people? And it said that they were being surrounded, and they were going in and starting — literally, the next day, they were going to drop bombs all over the place and perhaps kill millions of people in order to get 35,000 terrorists.
And I put out on social media and elsewhere — I gave Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, everybody these orders: “Don’t let it happen.” I said, “Don’t let it happen.” That doesn’t mean they can’t be selective. They can’t be — you know, go in and they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do with terrorists. I assume they’re terrorists. But don’t kill millions of people.
And it stopped. You saw that. Nobody’s going to give me credit, but that’s okay. That’s okay. Because the people the people know.
I have had more Syrians thank me for that. This was about four weeks ago, I put that out. I said, “They’re surrounding a city of 3 million people. They’re going to start bombing the city. Don’t let it happen.” And I meant it, too. I meant it. And millions of people have been saved.
And I gave, today, great credit to Iran. I don’t know if you heard that. I gave great credit to Iran, to Russia, and to Syria for not doing it.
Now I hope it’s going to be surgical — meaning go in and do — it’s lengthy and everything else. And they possibly have to do it. But I think millions of people would have been killed. And that would have been a shame.
And hopefully — and I have to tell you, Turkey has been a big help. Turkey has been great. Turkey has helped us very much with that whole situation.
Q Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Yes.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Good. Thank you very much.
Q Touching back on Iran: Of course, this week, you put out a call to action to other countries to rally with America, to put pressure on Iran. Rouhani is still calling for the U.S. to come back into the old deal. But after meeting with world leaders this week, did you make any progress towards a potential new deal?
THE PRESIDENT: Doesn’t matter what world leaders think on Iran. Iran’s going to come back to me and they’re going to make a good deal, I think. Maybe not. Deals — you never know.
But they’re suffering greatly. They’re having riots in every city, far greater than they were during the green period with President Obama. Far greater. When President Obama stuck up for government, not the people. You probably would have had a much different Iran had he not done that. But I’m sticking up for the people. I am with the people of Iran.
But here’s the thing: They have rampant inflation. Their money is worthless. Everything is going wrong. They have riots in the street. You can’t buy bread. You can’t do anything. It’s a disaster. At some point, I think they’re going to want to come back, and they’re going to say, “Hey, can we do something?”
And I’m very simple; I just don’t want them to have nuclear weapons. That’s all. Is that too much to ask? I don’t want them to have nuclear weapons.
I want them to have a great economy. I want them to sell so much oil so that the oil prices — I’m not happy with OPEC. I told them, “I’m not happy with OPEC.” We take care of all these people, we defend them. They wouldn’t be there for two weeks if it wasn’t for me, and the United States, and a much stronger armed forces than it was. Because our armed forces was depleted. We had old equipment.
Now, we have — hey, you know better than anybody — $700 billion and $716 billion. We have the most incredible new jets and everything. We need it. Not that I want to spend it, although it is jobs. It’s all made in the United States.
But Iran has to come back, and they have to talk. And I’m not doing this from strength or weakness. I’m just saying, at some point, I think they’re going to have to come back.
If you look at what’s going on, companies are leaving left and right. Mercedes Benz just left. They’re all leaving. They don’t want to be in Iran. Because they have a choice: Do they want to be with Iran, or do they want to be with us?
And we have, by — we picked up $10 trillion since my election. We were being caught by China. Now it’s going the other way. People can’t believe it. People have never seen this situation with China. Everything’s always been — for 20 years, “Oh, China is so great. China is so great.” You don’t hear that so much anymore. I love China; I think they’re great. But you don’t hear that so much anymore. You know who’s great now? We’re great now.
Okay, how about just a couple more. Now, I could be doing — I could be doing this all day long. I could be doing this all day long. Should we continue for a little while? It doesn’t matter to me. A couple of more. I don’t care.
New York Times, come on. New York Times. The failing New York Times. Stand up. Go ahead.
Q You’re talking about me, but (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: No, I’m talking about the Times is failing. You are far from failing. Go ahead.
Q Okay, but you’re not — you were pointing to me, so you meant me. But I —
THE PRESIDENT: The Times are very interesting, though. The Times, I think they’re going to endorse me. (Laughter.) I think that ABC — I think — well, Fox — I like Fox. I really do.
Q Just to be sure —
THE PRESIDENT: But I think ABC, CBS, NBC, the Times, the — they’re all going to endorse me, because if they don’t, they’re going out of business. Can you imagine if you didn’t have me?
Go ahead, what would you like to say?
Q Just to be sure, I know you were pointing to me, but I work for PBS NewsHour.
THE PRESIDENT: I know that. No, I know that.
Q (Laughs.) Okay. So, I want to ask you: Yesterday, you were talking about your administration’s accomplishments at the United Nations, and a lot of the leaders laughed. Why do you think they were laughing?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that’s fake news.
Q And what was that experience like for you?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. It was fake news. And it was covered that way. Okay. So, I said that, since my election, our economy has become the hottest in the world. Tax reductions, regulations, confidence levels are the highest in 18 years — really, soon to be historic. Unemployment is the lowest in the history of our country. You look at Black unemployment. You look at Asian unemployment. You look at women — 65 years. The unemployment numbers are among the best we’ve ever had ever. The numbers of new companies pouring into our country, which nobody thought was possible.
And I said this. And I was in front of a large group of highly professional people, most of whom are from either other countries or the United Nations — people that aren’t big into clapping, applauding, smiling. And I heard a little rustle, as I said our country is now stronger than ever before. It’s true. I mean, it is true. And I heard a little rustle. And I said, “It’s true.” And I heard smiles. And I said, “Oh, I didn’t know there there’d be that kind…” They weren’t laughing at me. They were laughing with me. We had fun. That was not laughing at me.
So the fake news said, “People laughed at President Trump.” They didn’t laugh at me. People had a good time with me. We were doing it together. We had a good time. They respect what I’ve done.
The United States is respected again. The United States was not respected. Everybody was taking advantage of us. From jobs, and taking our companies, and not paying the price — to so many other things, even military protection.
I told a number of countries over the last few days, I said, “Listen, you’re a very rich country. We protect you. Without our protection, you would have real problems. You would have real problems.”
Q And I — I want to —
THE PRESIDENT: I said, “You should reimburse us for this protection. Why are we protecting you?” And do you want to know what they said after about two minutes of talking? They agreed with me. And you can ask this group of very talented people — they agreed with me.
But they said — one of them said, “But Mr. President, nobody ever asked us for that. They never asked us for that.” Nobody has ever said, “You should pay.” These are really wealthy countries.
I mean, I’ll be honest, I just asked Japan. I said, “We’re defending you. You’re a very wealthy country. You’re sending us millions of cars. You’re making a fortune. We have a tremendous trade deficit with you. And we’re defending you, and we’re subsidizing your military with a massive amount of money.”
I said it to South Korea. We have 32,000 soldiers in South Korea. They’re a very wealthy — these are great countries. These are very wealthy countries. I said, “Why aren’t you reimbursing us for our costs?”
And you know what? They look at me, and they can’t even answer it, because there’s no answer. If they’re a poor country and they needed protection, and people were going to die, I’m all for protecting them; I don’t want 10 cents. But when wealthy countries that have massive trade surpluses with us — massive — and then on top of that, we’re paying for their military? Or we’re paying for a lot of their military? That doesn’t work.
How about two more, and we’ll call it?
Q Mr. President, really quickly. Mr. President, you said you feel a kinship — you said you feel a kinship with Brett Kavanaugh and you — Mr. President, really quickly, you said you felt a kinship with Brett Kavanaugh. You said that you also — your false allegations that you feel like were made against you make you feel like you don’t want to believe these women. What message do you think that —
THE PRESIDENT: No, I didn’t say that. Why do you say that?
Q So, please explain —
THE PRESIDENT: Fake news.
Q Please explain —
THE PRESIDENT: Why — did I say that?
Q Well, can you please explain then what you’re talking about in your own false allegations?
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me. And by the way, I think you do a very good job, but I didn’t say that. I do watch you. And I think you do a very good job. But I didn’t say that.
Q So could you explain what you meant?
THE PRESIDENT: I said, exactly, “I look forward to watching her.” I do want to hear what she says. And maybe she’ll say — I could be convinced of anything. Maybe, if she’ll say something — but in the meantime, I have to tell you, he’s one of the highest quality human beings.
He’s a tremendous man. He’s a tremendous genius. He’s a great intellect. He was, I believe, number one at Yale. Is that a correct statement? Number one in his class at Yale.
Q So you don’t feel a kinship with him?
THE PRESIDENT: He was a great student in law. He was — you know, I’ve heard his name. I didn’t know him. Didn’t know him. Until this whole thing, I didn’t know him. But I heard his name for 10 years.
And you know how I heard his name? Everybody was saying he should be on the Supreme Court. I said, “Who is he?” “His name is Brett Kavanaugh. And he should be — he’s the most brilliant person. He’s the most brilliant lawyer.” They were talking about him on the Supreme Court 10 years ago. With all of that, I want to hear what she has to say. Okay?
Q But you said that you don’t feel — but you said that you feel like there have been numerous false allegations against you, and that because of that–
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I’ve had many false —
Q — you feel that you understand what he might be going through.
THE PRESIDENT: I’ve had many false statements against me. And if the press would have reported it, I would have been very happy. I think John Roberts would tell you that — you covered the story where the women were paid to say bad things about me. Sean Hannity covered it.
I will tell you, when I saw that on Sean Hannity, I actually called him. Believe it or not, I don’t speak to him very much, but I respect him. I called him. I said, “This is the biggest story. This is a big, big story.” He agreed with me. The next day, I picked up the papers. There wasn’t one word about it. The next day, I watched ABC news. John, I watched NBC. I watched CBS. I didn’t watch CNN, but, next time, I’m going to. (Laughter.)
Q And are you okay with —
THE PRESIDENT: I watched everything. There wasn’t one story other than Fox. And it’s a big story. It’s a shame. Okay. Enough. Thank you, though.
Q And is it okay if I give it to the New York Times?
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you.
Q Is it okay if I give it to the New York Times, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead. That’s enough, please.
Q I’m just going to — okay.
THE PRESIDENT: Good job. Good job.
Q Mr. President, could I ask a question, since I am from the New York Times —
Q Mr. President —
Q — before this gentleman?
THE PRESIDENT: Since you’re where? Since you’re where?
Q I’m actually from the New York Times. Yamiche is my former colleague, and we miss her. But I was hoping I could ask a question.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t blame you. But I’ll let you do it after he does it. Is that okay?
Q That’s perfectly well.
THE PRESIDENT: I will do that in honor of a paper I once loved. (Laughter.)
Q Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, my name is Edward Szall, with TruNews. Today, you met with Bibi Netanyahu, from Israel. And you brought up, actually, that you support a two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli crisis there.
THE PRESIDENT: I do.
Q Can you give us any more preview of what this great deal, the peace deal (inaudible) —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I’d love to be able to make a deal with the Israelis and the Palestinians. You know, my whole life, I was told that’s the toughest deal. And I disagree. I think healthcare is probably tougher, okay? You want to know the truth. But it is tough. But we’re going to take care of that, too. And that’s going to get taken care of. We’ve already taken care of a lot of it.
But the whole — my life, I’ve always heard the deal between, as you know, Israel and the Palestinians, that’s like the toughest deal. Every possible thing is tough about that. I think we’re going to make a deal. I think we’re going to make a deal.
So, at one of our many meetings today, I was with Bibi Netanyahu, a man who I have a lot of respect for. A man who has been extremely nice to me — very happy that I did the whole thing with Jerusalem and the embassy, which, by the way, we’re going to open in four months for less than $500,000. And the budget was over $1 billion, right?
Q Yes. That’s correct.
THE PRESIDENT: So we saved, let’s say, a billion dollars. That’s not so bad. And it’s open. And it’s beautiful, by the way. Jerusalem stone, one of my favorite stones.
I will tell you, the question — somebody said today, “Well, this is the first news conference in a long time.” I said, “What do you mean? I did like, five today.” Every time I sit, I take a lot of questions from people that are screaming like maniacs in the back of the room — meaning, reporters.
And one of the reporters — I won’t say that it was John Roberts that said that, I refuse. But one of the — it was, but that’s okay. Don’t feel guilty, John. But of the reporters that was screaming asked about the one-state, two-state. And I said, “I think the two-state will happen. I think it’s, in one way, more difficult because it’s a real estate deal — because you need metes and bounds, and you need lots of carveouts and lots of everything. It’s actually a little tougher deal. But in another way, it works better because you have people governing themselves.
So, they asked be about that. I said, “Well, I think the two-state will happen. I think we’re going to go down the two-state road.” And I’m glad I got it out. And Jared, who is so involved — he loves Israel. He loves Israel. But he’s also going to be very fair with the Palestinians. He understands it takes two people to be happy — two groups of people to be happy. Everybody has got to be happy. And that’s why it’s so tough, because there’s been so much hatred and anger for so many years. That’s what, probably, the number-one ingredient of toughness is. But they asked me — I said I think it’s going to be a two-state.
And you know what I did today? By saying that, I put it out there. And if you ask most of the people in Israel, they agree with that. But nobody wanted to say it. It’s a big thing to put it out. It’s a very big thing to put it out.
Now, the bottom line: If the Israelis and the Palestinians want one state, that’s okay with me. If they want two states, that’s okay with me. I’m happy if they’re happy. I’m a facilitator. I want to see if I can get a deal done so that people don’t get killed anymore.
When we had — in Saudi Arabia, we had one of the great conferences in history. Many of you were there; probably all of you were there. It was one of the most beautiful two days. That, and China — two of the most incredible events I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen anything like it.
And we had, I believe, 58 Muslim countries — the leaders. The kings, the emirs, the absolute leaders from every — there was nobody in second place. They were the leaders of the whole thing.
And unbeknownst to anybody else, people would come up to me, individually — it wasn’t a setup. They’d come up to me and say, “Sir, you can’t have peace in the Middle East without peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.” I said, “Why? What difference? Why does that matter so much?” They said, “It just is impossible to make peace in the Middle East unless you have between the Israelis…”
So, I heard that from one — the King of Saudi Arabia, who is a great guy — King Salman. And then, somebody else came up. And he wasn’t told, “Oh, go up and say it.” I know where they’re coming from. And I must have had 12 leaders say it. And they just said it.
And I started to realize that peace between Israel and the Palestinians, for the Middle East, is a very important thing. And we’re trying very hard to get it. I think, probably, two-state is more likely. But you know what? If they do a single, if they do a double, I’m okay with it if they’re both happy. If they’re both happy, I’m okay with either. I think the two-state is more likely.
Okay, how about one — go ahead.
Q New York Times? New York Times?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, okay.
Q Thank you, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: I would have gotten bad story in the New York Times. But I will anyways, so I guess it doesn’t matter.
Q We’re — we’re kind of, uh —
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, we’ll do you after that.
Q We’re kind of, uh —
THE PRESIDENT: And then we’ll call it quits.
Q We’re kind of thriving, not failing these days.
THE PRESIDENT: You’re doing very well.
Q Yeah.
THE PRESIDENT: Say, “Thank you, Mr. Trump.” (Laughter.)
Q (Laughs). I think I’ll stop short of that. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: I wonder how you do — you know, all my life, I’ve had very few stories — but I’ve had some on the front page of the New York Times. Now, I think I think I average about three or four a day, right?
Q That is —
THE PRESIDENT: And, of the three or four, they’re all negative. No matter what I do, they’re negative. But you know what? That’s okay. I still love the paper.
Go ahead. (Laughter.)
Q I wanted to come back to China, because I think what you announced today was really important.
THE PRESIDENT: I agree.
Q You talk about this friendship you have with Xi Jinping, and yet, essentially, what you did today is accused his government —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right.
Q — of interfering in our internal affairs —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s right.
Q — subverting our Democratic process, and doing it to hurt you, the Republican Party —
THE PRESIDENT: Doing it to help them.
Q — and your backers.
THE PRESIDENT: You know what? Yeah. Doing it to help them.
Q So how can a guy who does that be your friend?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that we are able to — and maybe he’s not anymore. I’ll be honest with you, I think we had a very good friendship. I think we had a very good relationship; we understand each other. They are doing studies on Donald Trump. They’re trying to figure it all out because this has never happened to them before. It’s never happened.
Think of it, you’ve never seen — you’ve covered very well — you’ve never seen this happen. They’re having big problems. I don’t want them to have problems, but they got to make a fair deal. Just like Canada has got to make a fair deal.
I believe that he and I have a very good chemistry together. And I can tell you that about many leaders. I can also tell you a few where I don’t feel I’ll ever have a chemistry with them. I don’t want to have a chemistry with them. And for those people, I’ll have Pompeo, Nikki, Bolton, Jared. I can go — our general; I’ll have our general. Or if they can’t do it, I’ll have Sarah Huckabee do it. Right?
But for the most part, I have very good — very good with Prime Minister Abe. Very good with President Moon.
By the way, what President Moon said last night — I know you won’t report it — but Bret Baier interviewed him last night and he asked him about me. I can’t say — because you would say I’m too braggadocios — but what he said about me last night was an unbelievable thing. “Couldn’t have happened without President Trump, and it never would happen without President Trump. And nobody else could do it.” You know, I mean, you’ll take a look.
But I will tell you, China is very special. Very special. They’re incredible people. It’s an incredible country. What they’ve done is unbelievable.
Q How would —
THE PRESIDENT: And it all started with the WTO. It was a defective deal. And it all started — without the WTO, China is not China as we know it today.
And then it started also by — our people that are standing right in this position, that are in the Oval Office — another way of saying it — allowed them to get away with murder. Allowed a lot of countries to get away with murder.
I think we still probably have a very good relationship. But you know what? In honor of you, I will, tomorrow, make a call to him. Say, “Hey, how you doing?” Okay?
Q Can I — can I just ask —
THE PRESIDENT: “You don’t mind paying billions of dollars a month in tariffs.”
Q I just had two small follow-ups. One is, how would you compare the level of interference you see today from the Chinese to what Russia did in 2016?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think it’s different. If you look at the Des Moines Register, I mean, they have ads that are made to look like editorials. Saying about, “Oh, you got to stop Trump. You got to stop him. You got to vote against him.” My farmers are so incredible. These are patriots.
You know, on a network that doesn’t like me very much — which is most of them — but a network that didn’t — doesn’t really treat me very good, they interviewed farmers. And they got hurt because, you know, all of a sudden China stops buying.
By the way, they’ve started buying again. I don’t know if you’ve noticed. And soybeans are going up, and things are going up. And we’ve had very little hurt from what I’ve done. In fact, the markets have gone up. And the farmers are going to do great.
But, ultimately — but they had farmers, and these guys are amazing; I love them. And they voted for me and they love me. And they said, “We don’t care if we get hurt. He’s doing the right thing.” And, you know, a lot of people — it’s a complex game. A lot of people don’t know exactly what it is. They don’t know how to define “tariff.” They don’t know it is really different than a tax, although it’s getting close.
But they know that for the first time in many, many years, they have a President that’s fighting for them; that’s not letting their jobs be taken to other countries; that’s not allowing the kind of abuse that we — I mean, when you look at what happened, as an example, with NAFTA. And for years — because it was never changed — NAFTA was defective deal the day it was signed.
You know why? Because they had a VAT tax of 17 percent and nobody from this country knew that. And by the time they found out, which was about a week later, nobody went and changed it. So you went many years and they never changed it. There was a VAT tax that Mexico got. So we were 17 or 16 points behind, before we even started. NAFTA was a horrible thing.
So the farmers and — by the way, the steel workers — you know, I stopped the dumping. The dumping was horrible. And now if they want to dump, that’s okay, but they’ve got to pay the United States of America 25 percent on everything they dump. That’s okay. But as I told you before, steel is doing phenomenally well.
But the farmers say, “This man is fighting for us. No President has ever fought for us before.” And you really have to study what’s happened over the 15 years with the farm. The farmers have been decimated over a 15-year period. They’ve been decimated. The farmers are going to come out great. These are great people. They’re great, great patriots.
I think we should finish with that one. Is that okay?
(Cross-talk.)
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Go ahead. Let’s go. Fast.
Q Sure.
THE PRESIDENT: I always like — always like to finish with a good one.
Elton John said, “When you hit that last tune and it’s good, don’t go back.” (Laughter.) I’ve seen — have you ever seen? They do great. They’re great. They hit the last tune and everyone goes crazy. Then they go back for an encore, right? And they don’t hit it. And they leave — everyone leaves. They said, “That wasn’t a very good concert, was it?”
Let’s go.
Q Well, I’ll ask you one final question —
THE PRESIDENT: You — don’t make me wrong. Go ahead.
Q — ahead of tomorrow’s hearing. Because you were asked earlier in the news conference about Brett —
THE PRESIDENT: Say it again. Say it again.
Q About the hearing tomorrow.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q You were asked earlier in the news conference by my friend from Sky News about the message that you are sending to —
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q — the women of the country.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q What about the message that you may be sending to young men? You’re a father. What does this moment that we’re in — the cultural moment —
THE PRESIDENT: It’s a very big cultural moment.
Q Right. So what messages do you for young men of America?
THE PRESIDENT: It’s a very big — it’s also — you’re right. I think it’s a great question.
This is a very big moment for our country because you have a man who is very outstanding, but he’s got very strong charges against him — probably charges that nobody is going to be able be — to prove.
So I could have you chosen for a position. I could have you, or you, or you — anybody. And somebody could say things. And it’s happened to me many times, where false statements are made. And honestly, nobody knows who to believe.
I could pick another Supreme Court judge — Justice. I could pick another one. Another one. Another one. This could go on forever. Somebody could come and say, “Thirty years ago, twenty-five years ago, ten years ago, five years ago, he did a horrible thing to me. He did this. He did that. He did that.”
And honestly, it’s a very dangerous period in our country. And it’s being perpetrated by some very evil people. Some of them are Democrats, I must say. Because some of them know that this is just a game that they’re playing. It’s a con game. It’s at the highest level. We’re talking about the United States Supreme Court.
This can go on forever. I can pick five other people. At a certain point, the people are going to say, “No, thank you.” This is the most coveted job, probably, in the world.
And you know what? I would honestly say — because I interviewed great people for this job. He’s great, but I interviewed other great people for this job. I could conceivably imagine going to one of them and saying, “It’s too bad what happened to this wonderful man, but I’m going to choose you, number two. I want you to go.” And I could conceivably be turned down by somebody that desperately wanted this job two months ago.
Q With respect, sir —
THE PRESIDENT: So this is — this is — and this is beyond Supreme Court.
Q Right.
THE PRESIDENT: There’s nothing beyond Supreme Court; this is beyond Supreme Court. This has everything to do with our country.
When you are guilty until proven innocent, it’s just not supposed to be that way. Always I heard, “You’re innocent until proven guilty.” I’ve heard this for so long, and it’s such a beautiful phrase. In this case, you’re guilty until proven innocent. I think that is a very, very dangerous standard for our country.
With that being said, I look forward to what she has to say. I also look very forward to what Judge Kavanaugh has to say. I think it’s going to be a very, very important day in the history of our country.
Q And —
THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank you all. We’ll do it again.
Q Sir, the message to young men? Sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
END
6:19 P.M. EDT
UN Security Council on DPR Korea - Chaired by Michael Pompeo (USA)
US Foreign Minister Michael Pompeo chairs a ministerial-level meeting on non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Security Council will hold a ministerial-level meeting on efforts to denuclearise the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to chair the meeting. Under Rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan are also expected to speak.
The US administration has placed a strong emphasis on non-proliferation-related issues during its Security Council presidency this month. Earlier today, US President Donald Trump chaired a summit-level briefing on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, during which he expressed concerns about the use or potential use of WMDs by Iran and Syria, and described diplomatic efforts toward non-proliferation in the DPRK.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning. The 8,363rd meeting of the Security Council is called to order.
The provisional agenda for this meeting is non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea. The agenda is adopted.
In accordance with Rule 37, I invite the representatives of Japan and the Republic of Korea to participate in this meeting. It is so decided.
I am pleased to welcome the distinguished ministers and representatives gathered here this morning. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two on the agenda.
I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Secretary of State of the United States of America.
Time and time again over the past quarter century, the United Nations has made it clear: the world cannot accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. That’s not just the United States position. That is the world’s position.
Past diplomatic attempts to halt North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development were unsuccessful. But now we’re at the dawn of a new day. Since taking office, President Trump has led the international pressure campaign that has resulted in the first significant diplomatic breakthrough in decades.
During President Trump and Chairman Kim’s historic Singapore summit, Chairman Kim committed to work towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders share a common personal understanding of what must take place for the transformation of the United States-DPRK relations.
The United States continues to engage with North Korea to implement the commitments made in Singapore. Yesterday, I had a very positive meeting with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho to discuss how we can move forward on all four commitments in the Singapore joint statement. We also discussed a second summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un.
We must not forget what’s brought us this far: the historic international pressure campaign that this council has made possible through the sanctions that it imposed. Until the final denuclearization of the DPRK is achieved and fully verified, it is our solemn collective responsibility to fully implement all UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to North Korea.
President Trump has made abundantly clear that if Chairman Kim follows through on his commitments, a much brighter future lies ahead for North Korea and its people, and the United States will be at the forefront of facilitating that bright future.
We want to see that time come as quickly as possible. But the path to peace and a brighter future is only through diplomacy and only denuclearization. That means any other path North Korea may choose will inevitably lead to ever-increasing isolation and pressure.
It is imperative for members of the United Nations to take that to heart. Enforcement of UN Security Council sanctions must continue vigorously and without fail until we realize the fully, final, verified denuclearization. The members of this council must set the example on that effort, and we must all hold each other accountable.
Particularly, we must all be accountable to enforce Resolution 2397, which lowered the annual cap on refined petroleum imports to North Korea. The United States has assessed – and we can say in no uncertain terms – that the cap of 500,000 barrels has been breached this year.
We continue to see illegal imports of additional refined petroleum using ship-to-ship transfers, which are clearly prohibited under the UN resolution. As UN Security Council members, we must convey to the captains of these ships, to their owners, and anyone else involved in these transfers that we are watching them and that they must cease their illicit activity.
We must all be accountable for cutting off North Korea’s illegal coal exports, which provide funds that go directly to its WMD programs.
And we must be accountable, too, for curbing the number of North Korean laborers permitted within our borders. The United States is troubled by recent reports that member-states, including members of the Security Council, are hosting new North Korean laborers. This violates the spirit and the letter of the Security Council resolutions that we all agreed to uphold.
And while sanctions remain part of the total approach we are pursuing to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons, I want to finish on a positive note. We are well into a diplomatic process, and we hope – indeed, we want – to see this through to a successful end. I’m pleased that, based upon recent exchanges between President Trump and Chairman Kim, that the President has directed me to travel to Pyongyang next month to meet with Chairman Kim and to accelerate that process.
I want to reiterate that the future can be very bright for North Korea if it makes good on its commitment to final, fully verified denuclearization. It will lead to the positive transformation of the U.S.-DPRK relations, to greater prosperity for the North Korean people, and to an enduring peace.
In our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, nations are strong, sovereign, connected, prosperous, and at peace. But that vision for the region will never be complete if we fail to bring about this transformation on the Korean Peninsula. The Korean people, the region, and the world will never realize the full promise of the future if we do not seize this unprecedented diplomatic opening for peace.
I said at the beginning of my statement that we are at the dawn of a new day in the world’s relationship with North Korea. We do not yet know what that day will bring, but we are hopeful that the current breakthrough in diplomacy will yield a brighter future for North Korea and a safer world for all of us.
Thank you, and I look forward to the discussions.
I give the floor now to the deputy prime minister and minister and foreign affairs of Kuwait.
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Ri Yong Ho, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, addresses the general debate of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 25 September - 01 October 2018).
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Ri Yong Ho told the General Assembly that without any trust in the U.S, there is “no way we will unilaterally disarm ourselves first.”
Addressing the General Assembly today (29 Sep) in New York, the North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho reiterated that the key to consolidating the peace and security in the Korean peninsula is to thoroughly implement the DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement adopted in June at the historic DPRK-U.S. summit in Singapore.
He stated that the DPRK government's commitment to the implementation of the DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement is “unwavering.”
Ho continued “the primary task for effectively implementing the DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement should be bringing down the barrier of mistrust between the two countries which has existed for several decades; and to this end, the DPRK and the U.S. should spend many efforts to building trust above all.”
The North Korean Ambassador mentioned that all the past process for the implementation of previous agreements from various dialogues and negotiations between the DPRK and the U.S. ended in failure because the mistrust between the two was not sufficiently removed resulting in lack of confidence.
Ho expressed that even before the DPRK-U.S. summit, his government took “significant good-will measures” such as stopping nuclear and ICBM tests, dismantling the nuclear test site in a transparent manner and affirming not to transfer nuclear weapons and nuclear technology under any circumstances and it continues to put in efforts to trust-building.
However, the North Korean Ambassador said his country do not see “any corresponding response from the U.S.”
He continued “on the contrary, instead of addressing our concern for the absence of peace regime in the Korean peninsula, the U.S. insists on the ‘denuclearization-first’ and increases the level of pressure by sanctions to achieve their purpose in a coercive manner, and even objecting the ‘declaration of the end of war’.
On sanctions, the North Korean diplomat reiterated, “the perception that sanctions can bring us on our knees is a pipe-dream of the people who are ignorant about us.”
He added “the continued sanctions are deepening our mistrust. The reason behind the recent deadlock is because the U.S. relies on coercive methods which are lethal to trust-building.”
According to reports, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning to visit Pyongyang in October to prepare for a second summit between the North Korean leader Kim Jung-un and the US President Donald Trump.
Trump says he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un soon
President Trump Participates in the Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem
President Trump Participates in a Signing Ceremony for the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement
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Arirang News Shin Se-min reports from New York: Dated Sept. 24, 2018:
Working as the middle man, the South Korean leader has successfully threaded the diplomatic needle, prompting his American counterpart Donald Trump to agree to a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Presidents Moon and Trump also put pen to paper on their revised free trade deal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The on-again, off-again talks between North Korea and the United States are officially back on.
At Monday's summit between Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump, a tease on the next encounter between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. "Expressing his unchanged high expectations for President Trump, Chairman Kim Jong-un expressed hope to meet with President Trump at an early date to conclude the denuclearization process."
And President Trump, also pledging to meet with the North Korean leader very soon. "I think within a fairly short period of time we’ll be announcing where it’ll be, the location to be determined but we’re both very much looking forward to having it. We are in no rush. We’re in no hurry. We’ve made more progress than anybody has made in ever, frankly with regard to North Korea."
But one thing he revealed, their next meeting will not be held in Singapore like the first.
Such a development on North Korea, made possible as President Moon worked on bringing back a deal between Pyeongyang and Washington which had been on ice since their last summit in June. Presidents Moon and Trump also saw eye-to-eye on their bilateral free trade deal.
The two sides inked an amended version of their six-year old FTA, promising efforts to implement the revised trade pact at an early date.
With the signing, Seoul will double the number of American cars that meet U.S. safety rules, not Korean ones, to 50-thousand, while Washington will maintain 25-percent tariffs on imports of South Korean-made light trucks until 2041. "Shoring up their ties on diplomatic issues with North Korea and on the bilateral economic level.
One thing we know for sure from the summit between the leaders of South Korea and the U.S., is that there will be a redux of the Singapore summit, hopefully pushing efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula in the right direction.
World leaders gathering for the UN General Assembly
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PBS News: After focusing on an “America First” message in his first address last year, President Trump will both continue that message and emphasize sovereignty at this year’s UN General Assembly, which begins this week. According to Satellite News Sept 23rd, 2018: President Trump al has arrived in New York. Arirang News: President Moon, other world leaders are starting to arrive in New York City for the UN General Assembly.
President Trump to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in New York City; chief White House correspondent John Roberts reports from the United Nations.
Arirang News: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. and North Korea are having "extended conversations" about denuclearization, such as particular nuclear facilities and weapons systems. Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Pompeo said the Trump administration is working diligently to achieve many outcomes regarding denuclearization, adding negotiations are underway, although the details have not been provided to the press.
New Yrok City, He arrived in the Big Apple on Sunday late afternoon, local time, to attend the 73rd UN General Assembly.
President Moon will hold a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines, including one with his U.S. counterpart.
Arirang News Blue House correspondent Hwang Hojun reported that While this will be the second time President Moon has appeared at the international forum since his inauguration, his presence in New York this time will likely draw a lot more international attention since the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyeongyang is still fresh in people's minds.
On Monday morning, he will first attend an event to raise awareness of the global drug abuse issue, co-sponsored by 28 countries.
He is scheduled to hold a bilateral summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in the afternoon to likely brief his U.S. counterpart on the results of the Pyeongyang summit, and quite possibly relay a personal message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Presidents Moon and Trump are also expected to sign their countries' revised Free Trade Agreement.
Soon after, a separate meeting is scheduled with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which will mark their fourth encounter since President Moon took office.
On Tuesday, President Moon will meet with his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, where he will also likely explain the results of his visit to North Korea and discuss how Seoul and Tokyo can cooperate to achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the Peninsula.
He will then give a policy speech to about 250 U.S. experts and opinion leaders from thinktanks including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Korea Society, and the Asia Society, where he is expected to discuss the strides that have been made in inter-Korean relations over the past year and his vision for future steps that South Korea and the U.S. can take together to achieve irreversible peace on the Peninsula.
President Moon will deliver a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly, once again, on Wednesday afternoon; he will likely return back to Seoul on Thursday night Korea time.
Separate one-on-one meetings with other government leaders will also likely take place.
First, he briefed the South Korean people, immediately after his return from North Korea last week.
And now, during his stay in New York City, President Moon Jae-in will have a chance to address a global audience on the results of his three-day summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the United Nations, the only one in which all Member States have equal representation: one nation, one vote. All 193 Member States of the United Nations are represented in this unique forum to discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the UN Charter, such as development, peace and security, international law, etc. In September, all the Members meet in the General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session.
Sources:Arirang News, Youtube Mania, Military News, CNN, Fox, Tweeter, Reuters, France 24, Youtube, and UN catch4all.com,
S andra Englund, September 23rd, 2018, Rev. Sept. 24th, 2018
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DPRK Chairman Leader Kim Jung Un Welcomes
ROK President Moon Jae In at Pyongyang
Trump praises summit, Pompeo says U.S. ready to engage in talks with North Korea
September 18 - 20, 2018
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U.S. Arirang News Sept 19, 2018 Lee Seung-jae reported that President Donald Trump praised the historic third inter-Korean summit of the year, saying there's been "tremendous progress" with North Korea on several fronts,including Pyeongyang's denuclearization.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump praised the inter-Korean summit, adding the agreements reached between the two leaders,in which the North said it would permanently abolish its key missile facilities with witnesses, as being "very good news."
President Trump: "We had very good news from North Korea, South Korea. They met and we had great responses. I got a tremendous letter from Kim Jong Un. As you know it was delivered three days ago. We're making tremendous progress with respect to North Korea."
The U.S. leader also talked about the progress being made with North Korea, putting an emphasis on the ending of missile and nuclear testing.
"Prior to becoming president, it looked like we were going to war with North Korea and now we have a lot of progress. We've gotten our prisoners back. We are getting our remains back. They continue to come in. A lot of tremendous things, but very importantly no missile testing, no nuclear testing. Now they want to go and put a bid in for the Olympics. Now we have a lot of very good things going." Meanwhile, U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. is prepared to immediately engage in talks with North Korea in the wake of this week's inter-Korean summit.
The top U.S. diplomat said in a statement, that the U.S. congratulates the leaders of the two Koreas on the "successful outcome" of their meeting in Pyeongyang, and welcomed the North Korean leader's reaffirmation to denuclearize the peninsula.
U.S. Secretary of State, Pompeo says he has invited his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho, to meet him in New York next week, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where they are both scheduled to be in attendance.
He also said the U.S. has invited Pyeongyang officials to meet the new U.S. special representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, in Vienna "at the earliest opportunity."
Meanwhile, Ambassador Haley Previews U.S. Priorities for the UN General Assembly.
U.S. Department of State: Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, outlines U.S. priorities for the 73rd UN General Assembly High-Level Week at a press stakeout outside the UN Security Council chamber on September 20, 2018. More information is available at https://usun.state.gov.
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Ambassador Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, chairs an urgent UN Security Council meeting on North Korea sanctions, Nonproliferation and the Implementation and Enforcement of UN Sanctions on North Korea on September 17, 2018.
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
September 17, 2018
AS DELIVERED
Deny, distract, and lie. We have heard this same song many times before. Whether it was aiding the Assad regime with chemical weapons. Whether it was the attempted murder of the Skripals with the dangerous nerve agent in the United Kingdom. Whether it was election meddling in the United States – which didn’t work, by the way. And now you’ve been cheating on sanctions agreements and have gotten caught. Lying, cheating, and rogue behavior have become the new norm of the Russian culture. The Russian Ambassador said, “No one is denying the Panel of Experts.” Well then I take that to assume that you will allow the original report of the Panel of Experts to be released.
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Youtupe Mania: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has welcomed the "important commitments" made by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a summit with his South Korean counterpart this week.
North Korea announced it would disassemble its nuclear missile test complex under a comprehensive agreement reached by the leaders of the two rival Koreas.
Pompeo said Wednesday that he had invited North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho to meet with him in New York at next week’s United Nations General Assembly. He also said Pyongyang's representatives have been invited to hold talks with the U.S. special envoy for North Korea in Austria “at the earliest opportunity.”
“This will mark the beginning of negotiations to transform U.S.-DPRK relations through the process of rapid denuclearization of North Korea, to be completed by January 2021, as committed by Chairman Kim, and to construct a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula,” Pompeo said in a statement.
Arirang News reported that Presidential address on Pyeongyang summit: Pres. Moon says he had been assured by Leader Kim.
Sources:Arirang New, Youtupe Mania, VOA, US Deptartment of State, USUN, Fox, Tweeter, Reuters, White House, Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube, PBS News Hour, France 24 hours, 38 North catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, Sept 20, 2018
Breaking News: Statement from the U.S. Mission on a UN Security Council Meeting on North Korea Sanctins
September 14, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Given recent efforts by some Member States to undermine and obstruct North Korea sanctions implementation, the United States has called an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting for Monday, September 17, at 10:00 a.m., to discuss the implementation and enforcement of UN sanctions on North Korea.
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Press Release: Ambassador Haley on Russia’s Interference in a UN Report on North Korea Sanctions
September 13, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This week, a report from the UN’s independent Panel of Experts on the implementation of UN North Korea sanctions was submitted to the Security Council. The report submitted to the Council was not the same independent report that was submitted to the UN’s North Korea sanctions committee last month. This version of the report was amended at the request of Russia. In recent weeks, Russia pressured the Panel to alter its independent report, which included sanctions violations implicating Russian actors. It is the latest example of Russia covering up cases where it has been implicated in violating Security Council resolutions related to North Korea, including by blocking UN designations of Russian and Chinese companies, individuals, and ships involved in sanctions violations.
“Russia can’t be allowed to edit and obstruct independent UN reports on North Korea sanctions just because they don’t like what they say. Period. We’re disappointed in the Panel for caving to Russian pressure and making changes to what should be an independent report. This is a dangerous precedent and a stain on the important work of the Panel. We’ve seen the original report and we know the truth – the Panel should do the right thing and release it. The full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions remains mandatory for all Member States – including Russia,” said Ambassador Haley.
UN Panel of Experts reports are supposed to be independent to provide the Security Council – and the international community – with crucial details, information, and impartial analysis on the state of global implementation of sanctions on North Korea. They exist to provide objective information on efforts by North Korea and its partners to undermine sanctions, as well as information on countries or entities that are violating sanctions. Russian interference sets an unacceptable precedent that damages the sanctity of the UN independent panel reporting process.
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Arirang News, Kim Hyesung, dated September 15, reported that The United States has called an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council
The U.S. Mission to the UN said the meeting will discuss the implementation and enforcement of UN sanctions on the North.
This comes after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statements "Russia has actively attempted to undermine the UN Security Council resolutions-- the work of the 1718 committee, the committee at the U.N. that evaluates compliance with sanctions-- by attempting to change language there....The United States is as committed as ever to continuing to enforce those UN Security Council resolutions."
U.S. Secretary of State, Pompeo's remarks came a day after U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the independent UN panel should release the original report, which cited a massive increase in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products for North Korea in violation of UN sanctions.
The report said some products were allegedly off-loaded from Russian ships.
Since 2006, the UN Security Council has imposed tougher sanctions against North Korea in response to its repeated nuclear and missile tests.
The latest UNSC resolution limits oil exports to the North and includes measures on closer inspections of cargo ships coming in and out of the regime.
Last month, Moscow held up the publication of the UN panel's report over differences about its contents.
A summary of the report obtained in August by the Associated Press also said North Korea has not stopped it nuclear and missile programs, adding the regime has violated UN sanctions by transferring coal and flouting an arms embargo.
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Arirang News talks about the Closer look at agenda of '2018 Inter-Korean Summit Pyeongyang' which President Moon has insisted that advancements in inter-Korean relations are the driving force behind the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula..
Meanwhile, there was report that U.S. Japan Conducts Missiles Interception Test In Response To Russia: The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announce the successful completion of an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) intercept flight test, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii.
The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (Aegis BMD or ABMD) is a United States Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency program developed to provide missile defense against short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. It is part of the United States national missile defense strategy. Aegis BMD (also known as Sea-Based Midcourse) is designed to intercept ballistic missiles post-boost phase and prior to reentry.
It enables warships to shoot down enemy ballistic missiles by expanding the Aegis Combat System with the addition of the AN/SPY-1 radar and Standard missile technologies. Aegis BMD-equipped vessels can transmit their target detection information to the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system and, if needed, engage potential threats using the RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) mid-course interceptors and the RIM-156 Standard Missile 2 Extended Range Block IV (SM-2 Block IV) or RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (SM-6) terminal-phase interceptors. Aegis BMD has the ability to intercept ICBMs, future versions may allow for higher interception capability.
The current system uses the Lockheed Martin Aegis Weapon System and the RaytheonStandard missile. Notable subcontractors and technical experts include Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Honeywell, Engility, Naval Surface Warfare Center, SPAWAR Systems Center, Johns Hopkins UniversityApplied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), and the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyLincoln Laboratory (Lincoln Lab).
The event, designated Japan Flight Test Mission-05 (JFTM-05), was conducted in order to demonstrate a successful engagement of a target missile from the JS ATAGO using the sea-based midcourse engagement capability provided by Aegis BMD.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in will meet next week in Pyongyang. The two leaders can be expected to discuss economic collaboration and ways to tighten their relationship. They can also be expected to discuss denuclearization. McClatchy foreign affairs columnist Markos Kounalakis joins CBSN to discuss the upcoming summit.
On September 9th, 2018 North Korea marks 70th anniversary, No ICBMs displayed in paradeg
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Sources:US- UN Ambassador Niki Haley site Arirang News, CBS,;Fox News, wikipedia, VOA, Youtupe Mania
Sandra Englund, September, 15, 2018
Breaking News - North Korea Tensions HIGH As Trump Calls Off Pompeo Trip To Meet Kim Jong-Un
Fox News/VOA, August 23rd, 2018:
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he had canceled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's planned trip to North Korea because "we are not making sufficient progress" toward the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula.
Trump said in a message on Twitter that Pompeo's visit, which was set for next week, now would likely not take place until after Washington has resolved its trade dispute with China. Trump said China was no longer helping on the North Korea issue.
It was a dramatic shift of tone for Trump, who had previously hailed his June summit with North Korean leader Kim JongUn as a success and said the North Korean nuclear threat was over.
North Korean coal was illegally imported to South Korea
North Korean coal was illegally imported to South Korea last year in violation of United Nations and other sanctions, the South Korean government said Friday (August 10, 2018)
NORTH KOREA NOW, August 10th, 2018: North Korean coal and pig iron have been brought into South Korea, potentially in violation of international sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear ambitions and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, Seoul's customs office said today.
Washington Post describs that in the summer of 2017, the U.N. banned all North Korean coal exports. But the regime of Kim Jong Un was able to trick its adversaries into accepting deliveries.
New York Times, August 10th, 2018
SEOUL, South Korea — More than 33,000 tons of North Korean coal was illegally imported to South Korea last year in violation of United Nations and other sanctions, the South Korean government said Friday.
A government customs agency, the Korea Customs Service, asked prosecutors to indict the heads of three South Korean companies that transport coal. It said the companies imported the North Korean coal, totaling $5.8 million in value, between April and October of last year, and it accused them of falsifying documents to indicate that the coal was of Russian origin.
The owners of 14 ships involved in transporting the coal from North Korea to ports in the Russian Far East, and from there to South Korea, could also face penalties under United Nations sanctions, South Korean officials said. It was unclear whether the owners of the ships that loaded the coal in Russia knew it was from North Korea.
Last August, the United Nations Security Council barred all member nations from importing North Korean coal, iron ore and other significant sources of hard currency for the isolated regime. Separately, South Korea has banned trade with North Korea since the North was accused of sinking a South Korean Navy ship in a torpedo attack in 2010.
South Korean firms found to have illegally imported North Korean coal and pig iron
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ARIRANG NEWS, reported by Lee Ji-won Aug 10, 2018: Seoul's government completed an investigation into what was suspected to be illegal imports of coal from North Korea. 7 of the 9 cases clearly violate UNSC sanctions. South Korea's Customs Service revealed at a briefing on Friday that North Kore an coal and pig iron have, in fact, been brought into the country illegally.
Three South Korean firms were found to have broken the law in 7 of the 9 cases.
Most of them involved the fabrication of documents about the goods' origin. "After the UN Security Council banned the trading of North Korean coal, the suspects transshiped the North Korean product at a Russian port onto a vessel with a third country's flag and forged documents to make it look like the goods were from Russia."
Inspections of Russian coal, in particular, have gotten tougher because of the sanctions, so in one case the company said falsely that the coal was of a type that doesn't require a certificate of origin at all.
Between April and October last year, they brought in a total of 35-thousand tons of North Korean coal and pig iron, worth some 6-point-6 billion won, or about 5-point-8 million U.S. dollars.
Most of the coal had been acquired by the suspects as commission for selling North Korean coal to third-party countries.
It's thought the reason they did it was because coal from the North is so cheap.
This is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolution 23-71, which stipulates that North Korea shall not supply, sell or transfer directly or indirectly coal, iron or iron ore,... and that all UN member states shall prohibit the procurement of such material from the North.
The Korea Customs Service said it will refer the firms and their representatives to the prosecution.
And the ships that brought in the coal, including Shinning Rich and the Jin Long, will be reported to the Security Council committee on North Korea sanctions, but its not clear whether the ships will face sanctions themselves.
Either way, the South Korean government said it will ban them from its ports.
As for a local company that bought and used the coal, the customs service said it's likely to be exempt from the United States' secondary boycott because it could not have known the coal's origin.
According to UN Resolution 2321 Page 3 No. 8: 17-13455
S. Korea welcomes UN resolution 2397, urges N. Korea to denuclearize
ARIRANG NEWS
The South Korean government welcomed the new sanctions resolution and urged North Korea to halt its provocations.
Seoul's foreign ministry said Saturday that the latest resolution shows the international community's firm willingness to not allow further nuclear and missile development by Pyongyang.
The ministry says the latest sanctions could cut North Korean exports earnings by 10-percent, or 250-million U.S. dollars... and imports, by 30-percent... or 1-point-2 billion dollars.
And if North Korean workers are repatriated,... that could also hit the regime's earnings by 450 to 750 million dollars.
Decides that paragraph 26 of resolution 2321 (2016) shall be replaced by the following:
“Decides that the DPRK shall not supply, sell or transfer, directly or indirectly, from its territory or by its nationals or using its flag vessels or aircraft, coal, iron, and iron ore, and that all States shall prohibit the procurement of such material from the DPRK by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or not originating in the territory of the DPRK, decides that for sales and transactions of iron and iron ore for which written contracts have been finalized prior to the adoption of this resolution, all States may allow those shipments to be imported into their territories up to 30 days from the date of adoption of this resolution with notification provided to the Committee containing details on those imports by no later than 45 days after the date of adoption of this resolution, and decides further that this provision shall not apply with respect to coal that the exporting State confirms on the basis of credible information has originated outside the DPRK and was transported through the DPRK solely for export from the Port of Rajin (Rason), provided that the exporting State notifies the Committee in advance and such transactions involving coal originating outside of the DPRK are unrelated to generating revenue for the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2356 (2017), or this resolution;"
Security Council further tightens sanctions against DPR Korea
The Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 2397 (2017), condemning in the strongest terms the ballistic missile launch conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 28 November 2017 in violation and flagrant disregard of the Security Council's resolutions on non-proliferation.
22 December 2017
The United Nations Security Council today imposed new sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), increasing the depth of measures imposed on the country in the wake of its continued nuclear and ballistic weapons programme, including the ballistic missile launch on 28 November.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member Council also decided that all UN Member States shall “prohibit” the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and various types of equipment and raw materials.
The restrictions also applied with respect to the Member States’ territories, nationals, flagged vessels, aircraft, pipelines, rail lines, or vehicles and whether or not originating in their territories.
The Security Council also decided that Member States shall repatriate all DPRK nationals earning income in that Member State’s jurisdiction and all DPRK government safety oversight attachés monitoring DPRK workers abroad “immediately but no later than 24 months,” unless the Member State determined that the national’s repatriation is prohibited under applicable national and international law, or if that national is a national of that Member State.
Further, in relation to maritime interdiction of cargo vessels, the Council decided that Member States shall seize, inspect, and impound any vessel in their ports if the Member State has reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel was involved in activities, or the transport of items, prohibited by relevant UN resolutions.
On the political side, the Security Council expressed its “deep concern” at the grave hardship that the people in the DPRK are subjected to and condemns the country for pursuing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles instead of the welfare of its people.
Also in the resolution, the Council affirmed that it shall keep the country’s actions under “continuous review” and that it is determined to take further “significant measures” in the event of a further nuclear test or launch.
UN chief welcomes unity in the Security Council
Following the adoption of the resolution, Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the continued unity of the Security Council and noted that it is essential to achieve the goal of denuclearisation and create the space for diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving it in a peaceful manner.manner.
“The only way forward for a comprehensive peaceful and political solution requires de-escalation and open communication channels, now,” read the statement.
“[The Secretary-General] reaffirms his commitment to working with all parties to this end [and] calls upon all Member States to ensure the full implementation of the relevant resolutions and to redouble efforts to make 2018 a pivotal year for the achievement of sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula,” it added.
DPRK
The U.S. Mission to the United Nations submitted a list of designation proposals today to the UN Security Council’s 1718 North Korea Sanctions Committee as part of the U.S. government’s regular sanctions implementation activities. This action coincided with today’s Treasury Department actions and is part of a coordinated U.S. government effort to continue to implement existing sanctions, both domestic and multilateral, and cut off North Korea’s illicit financial activities. The United States has been clear that if the international community wants to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, the best way to support that process is to remain vigilant in applying the current sanctions to their full extent.
Published on Dec 22, 2017
The United Nations Security Council approved more sanctions against North Korea on Friday by a vote of 15-0. The sanctions crack down on shipping and ban 90 percent of oil imports into the country. They also call for North Koreans working abroad to return home within the next two years.
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LATETS NEWS 360 TODAY 8/5/2017: NORTH KOREA NEWS - Resolution 237: Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
Resolution 2371 (2017), adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council on August 5, 2017, strengthens UN sanctions on North Korea in response to its two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests conducted on July 3, 2017 and July 28, 2017. As such, this resolution sends a clear message to North Korea that the Security Council is united in condemning North Korea’s violations and demanding North Korea give up its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Resolution 2371 (2017) includes the strongest sanctions ever imposed in response to a ballistic missile test. These measures target North Korea’s principal exports, imposing a total ban on all exports of coal (North Korea’s largest source of external revenue), iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. Banning these exports will prevent North Korea from earning over a $1 billion per year of hard currency that would be redirected to its illicit programs. North Korea earns approximately $3 billion per year from export revenues. Additional sanctions target North Korea’s arms smuggling, joint ventures with foreign companies, banks, and other sources of revenue................................
Resolution 2371 (2017) Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
August 5, 2017
Resolution 2371 (2017), adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council on August 5, 2017, strengthens UN sanctions on North Korea in response to its two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests conducted on July 3, 2017 and July 28, 2017. As such, this resolution sends a clear message to North Korea that the Security Council is united in condemning North Korea’s violations and demanding North Korea give up its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Resolution 2371 (2017) includes the strongest sanctions ever imposed in response to a ballistic missile test. These measures target North Korea’s principal exports, imposing a total ban on all exports of coal (North Korea’s largest source of external revenue), iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. Banning these exports will prevent North Korea from earning over a $1 billion per year of hard currency that would be redirected to its illicit programs. North Korea earns approximately $3 billion per year from export revenues. Additional sanctions target North Korea’s arms smuggling, joint ventures with foreign companies, banks, and other sources of revenue.
Resolution 2371 (2017) includes the following key elements:
• Condemns North Korea July 3 and July 28 ballistic missile tests in the strongest terms, and reaffirms North Korea’s obligations not to conduct any further nuclear tests or launches that use ballistic missile technology, to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, to suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program, and to abandon all other WMD programs.
• Imposes several fullsectoral bans on exports North Korea uses to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, namely:
◦ A ban on its largest export, coal, representing a loss to North Korea of over $401 million in revenues per year;
◦ A ban on iron and iron ore exports, worth roughly $250 million per year;
◦ A ban on seafood exports, worth roughly $300 million in revenue each year; and
◦ A ban on lead and lead ore exports, worth roughly $110 million per year;
• Imposes additional restrictions on North Korea’s ability to generate revenue and access the international financial system, by:
◦ Adding new sanctions designations against North Korean individuals and entities that support the country’s nuclear and missile programs, including the state-owned Foreign Trade Bank (FTB), which acts as North Korea’s primary foreign exchange bank, while protecting diplomatic, consular, and humanitarian activities.
◦ Prohibiting all new joint ventures or cooperative commercial entities between North Korea and other nations, as well as ban additional investment in existing ones.
◦ Banning countries from allowing in additional numbers of North Korean laborers who will earn revenue for the illicit programs.
• Requests the Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee to identify additional conventional arms-related and proliferation-related items to be banned for transfer to/from North Korea.
• Enables the Security Council’s North Korea Sanctions Committee to designate vessels tied to violations of Security Council resolutions and prohibit their international port access.
• Takes steps to improve sanctions enforcement, including by asking Interpol to publish Special Notices on listed North Koreans for travel ban purposes.
• Provides additional analytical resources to the UN’s Panel of Experts to enhance its capacity to monitor sanctions enforcement.
• Regrets North Korea’s massive diversion of its scarce resources toward its development of nuclear weapons and a number of expensive ballistic missile programs and expresses its deep concern at the grave hardship to which the people in North Korea are subjected;
• Includes sanctions exemptions to make sure these measures do not impede foreign diplomatic activities in North Korea or legitimate humanitarian assistance.
• Reaffirms the Council's support for the Six Party Talks, calls for their resumption, reiterates its support for commitments made by the Six Parties, and reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
• Expresses the Council's determination to take further significant measures if North Korea conducts another nuclear test or ballistic missile launch.
This resolution has two annexes. These are:
1 An annex of 9 North Korean individuals operating abroad as representatives of designated entities designated for targeted sanctions (asset freeze and travel ban);
Another annex of 4 North Korea commercial entities designated for an asset freeze.
Sources: UN, Arirang News, North Korea Now, Yonhap News, Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube , USUN site. catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, August 21, 2018, Rev.Augus 22nd, 2018
News Alert - North Korea Is Building New ICBM, Confirmed U.S. Intelligence
Published on Aug 3, 2018: News Alert - North Korea Is Building New ICBM, Confirmed U.S. Intelligence
US Spy Agencies Say North Korea Building New Missiles. This comes as Inter-Korean military talks have so far yielded trust building measures, but no significant reductions in troops or artillery at the border.
Meanwhile, ROK President Moon Emphasizing that Complete Denuclearization Before The Economic is offered for DPRK.
ARIRANG NEWS:President Moon tries to push ahead with vision for inter-Korean relations
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Secretary Pompeo Travels to Pyongyang, Tokyo, Hanoi, Abu Dhabi, and Brussels July 5-12
Secretary Pompeo travels to Pyongyang, Tokyo, Hanoi, Abu Dhabi, and Brussels July 5-12.
Secretary Pompeo travels to Pyongyang, July 5-7, to continue consultations and implement the forward progress made by President Trump and Chairman Kim in Singapore.
In Tokyo, July 7-8, the Secretary will meet with Japanese and South Korean leaders to discuss our shared commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, as well as other bilateral and regional issues.
In Hanoi, July 8-9, Secretary Pompeo will hold meetings with senior Vietnamese officials to discuss our shared commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK and other bilateral and regional issues.
The Secretary will then travel to Abu Dhabi from July 9-10, where he will meet with UAE leaders to discuss ways to further strengthen the U.S.-UAE partnership and advance our common security and economic priorities.
The Secretary will conclude his trip in Brussels, July 10-12, accompanying the President to the NATO Summit, where Allies will discuss increased defense spending and burden sharing, enhanced deterrence and defense, and NATO’s strengthened efforts to fight terrorism.
The Secretary will also participate in the U.S.-EU Energy Council and co-host a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS with NATO while in Brussels.
According to Arirang News Reporter, Lee Ji-won, dated July 5th, 2018, Mike Pompeo begins his trip to North Korea.
The top diplomat will be in Pyongyang for the first time since the landmark summit in Singapore which Secretary of State Mike Pompeop will focus on ways to ensure complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization with officials in the regime.
The Associated Press reports that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left for his third visit to Pyongyang early Thurday morning, Washington time.
He's expected to arrive in North Korea's capital on Friday, local time, for his first overnight stay there... before heading to Japan on Saturday.
During his two days in Pyongyang, Pompeo is expected to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and possibly with the vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee, Kim Yong-chol, to discuss how to implement the June 12th Joint Statement signed by Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.
U.S. media have recently expressed skepticism over whether the North is sincere about giving up its nuclear program, so many are saying that Pompeo has to come back with some concrete plans.
A major question is whether the North will, as a first step, have its missile and nuclear materials removed from the country, as some U.S. officials have suggested,... and whether the regime will disable its nuclear plants and reactors at Yongbyon.
Also, President Trump has said the North promised to shut down a missile engine testing site, believed to be the one at Tongchang-ri, so observers will be looking to see if they set a date for that.
From his last visit, Pompeo brought home 3 American detainees, so there's hope that this time he'll bring back the remains of some 200 American soldiers killed in the Korean War, which the North has promised to return.
There's also the question of what the U.S. will offer in exchange in terms of establishing formal diplomatic ties.
As for the process of the North's denuclearization, things may have changed slightly.
The State Department, in a press statement, recently introduced a new phrase -- "final, fully verified denuclearization" and some experts say that in this week's talks Pompeo might put more emphasis on the 'verifiable' part. "From the mantra 'complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization' the U.S. changed to FFVD. The 'I' has disappeared which could be due to North Korea's protest in dealing with its nuclear scientists and knowledge. The emphasis is now on 'verified' and that's something Pompeo had also stressed at the press briefing the day before the summit."
Reuters, however, reported that this change shows that the Trump administration has softened its approach toward North Korea's denuclearization.
It said the U.S., taking advice from South Korea took a step back from its all-or-nothing posture. But we'll know soon whether or not the North will accept this new term in their second round of denuclearization talks.
During the 2018 North Korea–United States summit, Kim Jong-un promised that North Korea would destroy a missile engine test stand soon. The site was not initially named but was later identified to be the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground by US officials.
However,JUNE 26, 2018 38north.org reported that Infrastructure Improvements at North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Research Facility which clearly shows from the SATELLITE IMAGERY
A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Frank V. Pabian, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu. Says that Commercial satellite imagery from June 21 indicates that improvements to the infrastructure at North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center are continuing at a rapid pace. Modifications to the 5 MWe plutonium production reactor’s cooling system appear complete, but a less-than-normal cooling water discharge from the outfall pipe makes a determination of the reactor’s operational status difficult. The status of the Radiochemical Laboratory—used to separate plutonium from spent fuel rods—remains uncertain, although the associated Thermal Plant has likely continued operations, and a small non-industrial building of an unknown purpose has been newly erected near the cooling tower. Construction continues on support facilities throughout other operational areas of Yongbyon, especially at the Experimental Light Water Reactor (ELWR), where the new engineering office building appears externally complete and a small building similar to the one observed at the Radiochemical Laboratory has been erected.
Continued work at the Yongbyon facility should not be seen as having any relationship to North Korea’s pledge to denuclearize. The North’s nuclear cadre can be expected to proceed with business as usual until specific orders are issued from Pyongyang.. See 38north.org for more detail and Satellite images
Fox News: Images show North Korea expanding missile facility
Truth News Compilation/CNN: Satellite images show North Korea upgrading nuclear facility
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On 7 February 2016, North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, from the station. Critics suggest that the real purpose of the launch was test a ballistic missile. The launch was strongly condemned by the UN Security Council. A statement broadcast on Korean Central Television said that a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, had successfully been put into orbit less than 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space centre in North Phyongan province.North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration stated the launch was an epochal event in developing the country's science, technology, economy and defence capability by legitimately exercising the right to use space for independent and peaceful purposes. The launch prompted South Korea and the United States to discuss the possibility of placing an advanced missile defence system in South Korea, a move strongly opposed by both China and Russia.
Sohae Satellite Launching Station
Tongch'ang-dong Space Launch Center and Pongdong-ri) is a rocket launching site in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, North Korea. The base is located among hills close to the northern border with China. The spaceport was built on the site of the village Pongdong-ri which was displaced during construction. It was the site for the 13 April 2012 launch of the North Korean satellite Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, which was launched to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-Sung. The rocket launch failed, but on 12 December of the same year Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 was successfully launched and brought into Earth orbit.
The launches were controversial as they were dismissed by the US as tests of ballistic missile technology and hence of breach of an agreement made between North Korea and the USA in February 2012.
During the 2018 North Korea–United States summit, Kim Jong-un promised that North Korea would destroy a missile engine test stand soon. The site was not initially named but was later identified to be the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground by US officials.
Sources:Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Flickr, Planet Lab Inc, Arirang News, Youtube CNN, Fox, Reuters, Yahoo, 38 North, VOA, The Young Turks, wikipedia and Youtube , , catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, July 5th, 2018, REV July 6th, 2018
South Korea and U.S. suspend joint military drills changing relations with North Korea
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DPRK Chairman, Kim JongUn Travels To China To Meet With President Xi
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's third official trip to one of the regime's major allies, China.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News Reporter -China's state run CCTV reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is currently on a two-day visit to China.
The brief report announced at 10 a.m. local time, did not provide further details on Kim's purpose, nor the itinerary of his trip.
However, the news was sort of expected as several reports had already hinted of the possibility of the visit.
Earlier on Tuesday, sources within the aviation industry said a special plane, identified as an Ukrainian Antonov-148 carrying the logo of North Korea's state airline Air Koryo,... departed Pyongyang a little before 9:30AM, Korea time.
Japan's Nikkei newspaper also reported this morning that Kim had been preparing for a trip to China as early as today,to brief his Chinese counterpart on the Singapore summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
South Korea's presidential office of Cheong WaDae also confirmed the trip and said that it's well aware of the ongoing developments between the two countries.
After the news broke, Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said that the government is getting enough information about relations between North Korea and China and applauded the nation's intelligence-gathering capabilities.
When asked whether the Blue House was informed of Kim's visit prior to the news, he stopped short of saying whether the Blue House had received information about the visit.
Human Right Issues to be resolved by DPRK
According to The White House Historic Summit with North Korea is a Tremendous Moment for the World
Foreign Policy
Issued on: June 13, 2018
President Donald J. Trump’s successful Singapore summit marks a new pathway to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
FOX NEWS: North Korea Agrees to ‘Complete Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula’ after Trump-Kim Summit
“President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a document on Tuesday stating that Pyongyang would work toward ‘complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula’— a historic concession, which was one of the requirements the U.S. sought at the summit in Singapore. The historic agreement came after the two leaders held several meetings throughout the day.”
THE WASHINGTON TIMES: Trump, Kim Jong-Un Sign Document, Pledge to Work Together for Peace
“After a historic summit that scored North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s signed pledge committing to ‘complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,’ President Trump said Tuesday it was a great moment for the world. ‘We are prepared to start a new history and we are prepared to write a new chapter between our nations,’ he told reporters at the summit site at Capella Hotel. He ticked off a laundry list of concessions the U.S. won from North Korea.”
THE DAILY CALLER: Kim Jong-Un Promises ‘Major Change’ At Trump Signing Ceremony
“North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised historic change Tuesday while signing a letter to cap his summit with President Donald Trump in Singapore on denuclearization. ‘Today, we had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind and we are about to sign the historic document,’ Kim said. ‘The world will see a major change.’ He also thanked Trump for the summit.”
NEW YORK POST EDITORIAL BOARD: Singapore Summit is a Good First Step
“It was just the first step on a journey that will be long if it doesn’t derail, but President Trump’s one-day summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was indeed a start. Kim ‘reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,’ a statement said. In exchange, Washington ‘committed to provide security guarantees’ to the North. The sides will also work toward ‘stable peace’ on the peninsula, and Pyongyang will move to return the remains of all US soldiers who died there in the Korean War.”
EURASIA GROUP PRESIDENT IAN BREMMER IN THE HILL: The World Should Welcome Trump’s Bold Move to Engage Kim Jong Un
“Make no mistake: The world should welcome Donald Trump’s bold move to engage Kim Jong Un. A lasting peace for the Korean Peninsula, if it can be accomplished at all, will take years to accomplish. No one should ever have expected that Trump and Kim could solve a decades-old problem in a single afternoon. The leaders of these two nuclear-armed nations are talking about peace rather than war, and Kim has taken concrete steps to sharply improve relations with all his neighbors except Japan.”
FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL DIRECTOR FOR ASIAN AFFAIRS VICTOR CHA IN THE NEW YORK TIMES: Trump and Kim Have Just Walked Us Back From the Brink of War
“Thanks to the creative Olympics diplomacy from President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, which teased the North Koreans out of their self-imposed isolation, and Mr. Trump’s impulsive decision to meet with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, the world witnessed a historic meeting on Tuesday between two countries that have been sworn enemies for almost seven decades … Mr. Trump’s diplomacy, however unconventional, has pierced the isolation bubble of the North Korean leadership, which no previous president could do.”
FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN NAN HAYWORTH (R-NY) IN THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Trump Summit Ends Decades of Failed ‘Patience’ on North Korea
“The U.S. and North Korea have now embarked on a course set for peace and prosperity, including not only the elimination of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities but also the recovery and repatriation of American POW/MIA remains. As President Trump said of the document he signed together with Chairman Kim, ‘A lot of goodwill went into this, a lot of work, a lot of preparation.’ … What we’ve seen during the past 48 hours is the reincarnation of a quintessentially American doctrine: peace through strength.”
FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL PETER VAN BUREN IN REUTERS: Whatever Happens Next, the Trump-Kim Summit is a Win
“If Trump followed advice from the left he would have stayed home like past presidents. If he’d listened to the right he’d have bulled into the room and said ‘Lose the nukes, number one and we’re done’ and the process would have truly failed. North Korea developed nuclear weapons to guarantee its survival. If the United States and South Korea want the North to give up those weapons, something has to replace them as that assurance of survival. The summit created the platform. The key to what happens next is how Trump, Moon and Kim work to resolve that issue.”
USA TODAY’S JAMES S. ROBBINS: Singapore, North Korea and Donald Trump’s ‘Seat of the Pants’ Success
“Last fall, President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were trading personal insults and threatening nuclear war. Fast-forward to the Singapore summit, and the two men are smiling and talking on the Island of Tranquility. Just like that, peace broke out … Progress on other issues may follow, such as improvement in human rights and political reform, economic openness and perhaps reunification with South Korea. We will see. But the two men have given birth to a new world of possibilities that no thoughtful person can see as anything but good.”
WASHINGTON EXAMINER’S BYRON YORK: On North Korea, a President Who Tried Something Different
“So now the talks have happened, and North Korea has agreed — much like it has in years past — to denuclearize. Critics rightly point out that Kim and his predecessors never kept their promises before. On the other hand, these talks were the result of a series of events unlike those in the past. Maybe Trump’s plan will work. Maybe it will work a little and not work a little. Or maybe it will fail altogether. But it’s the result of a president re-thinking a problem that desperately needed a new approach.”
Trump Meets Kim and Sets the Stage for Fundamental Change in Asia -– Here's What His Critics Missed
- Fox News
“President Trump got to this point by ignoring all the establishment experts,” writes Christian Whiton, Senior Fellow at the Center for the National Interest. Unlike previous administrations, “President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have insisted that North Korea undertake actual disarmament before real financial concessions or even sanctions relief.”
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Newt Gingrich: Trump Has Accomplished More Than Clinton, Bush, and Obama Combined - This Is Just the Beginning
- Fox News
“With his historic summit Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Trump has once again done something astounding and unpredictable,” former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich writes. “Through a combination of toughness and boldness, aggressiveness and flexibility, and resolution and an amazingly fast grasping of tactical opportunities — President Trump may have begun the process of opening up North Korea and changing history,” he adds.
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World Leaders Come Out in Support of Historic Trump-Kim Summit
- New York Post
“The deal between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was met by world leaders with optimism and praise for the prospect of denuclearization,” Yaron Steinbuch reports. “At a train station in Seoul, people cheered and applauded as TV screens broadcast the Trump-Kim handshake live.”
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Trump Summit Ends Decades of Failed ‘Patience’ on North Korea
- Washington Examiner
“Not since Ronald Reagan have we had a president who has so ably combined fiscal and economic policy with defense policy to restore our position as the greatest and most potent economic and military power in the world — providing the credibility and leverage to make clear to our adversaries, and to our allies, that we can, and must, be taken seriously as a force for good,” former Rep. Nan Hayworth writes.
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President Trump Participates in a Media Availability
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 12, 2018
Capella Hotel, Singapore
4:15 P.M. SGT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, everybody. We appreciate it. We’re getting ready to go back. We had a tremendous 24 hours. We’ve had a tremendous three months, actually, because this has been going on for quite a while. That was a tape that we gave to Chairman Kim and his people, his representatives. And it captures a lot. It captures what could be done. And that’s a great — a great place. It has the potential to be an incredible place. Between South Korea — if you think about it — and China, it’s got tremendous potential. And I think he understands that and he wants to do what’s right.
It’s my honor today to address the people of the world, following this very historic summit with Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea. We spent very intensive hours together, and I think most of you have gotten the signed document, or you will very shortly. It’s very comprehensive. It’s going to happen.
I stand before you as an emissary of the American people to deliver a message of hope and vision, and a message of peace.
Let me begin by thanking our incredible hosts in Singapore, especially Prime Minister Lee, a friend of mine. This is a country of profound grace and beauty, and we send our warmest wishes to every citizen of Singapore, who really made this visit so important and so pleasant, despite all of the work and all of the long hours.
I also want to thank President Moon of South Korea. He’s working hard. In fact, I’ll be speaking to him right after we’re finished. Prime Minister Abe of Japan — a friend of mine — just left our country, and he wants what’s right for Japan and for the world. He’s a good man. And a very special person, President Xi of China, who has really closed up that border — maybe a little bit less so over the last couple of months, but that’s okay. But he really has. And he’s a terrific person and a friend of mine, and really a great leader of his people. I want to thank them for their efforts to help us get to this very historic day.
Most importantly, I want to thank Chairman Kim for taking the first bold step toward a bright new future for his people. Our unprecedented meeting — the first between an American President and a leader of North Korea — proves that real change is indeed possible.
My meeting with Chairman Kim was honest, direct, and productive. We got to know each other well in a very confined period of time, under very strong, strong circumstance. We’re prepared to start a new history and we’re ready to write a new chapter between our nations.
Nearly 70 years ago — think of that; 70 years ago — an extremely bloody conflict ravaged the Korean Peninsula. Countless people died in the conflict, including tens of thousands of brave Americans. Yet, while the armistice was agreed to, the war never ended. To this day, never ended. But now we can all have hope that it will soon end. And it will. It will soon end.
The past does not have to define the future. Yesterday’s conflict does not have to be tomorrow’s war. And as history has proven over and over again, adversaries can indeed become friends. We can honor the sacrifice of our forefathers by replacing the horrors of battle with the blessings of peace. And that’s what we’re doing and that’s what we have done.
There is no limit to what North Korea can achieve when it gives up its nuclear weapons and embraces commerce and engagement with the rest of the world — that really wants to engage. Chairman Kim has before him an opportunity like no other: to be remembered as the leader who ushered in a glorious new era of security and prosperity for his people.
Chairman Kim and I just signed a joint statement in which he reaffirmed his “unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” We also agreed to vigorous negotiations to implement the agreement as soon as possible. And he wants to do that. This isn’t the past. This isn’t another administration that never got it started and therefore never got it done.
Chairman Kim has told me that North Korea is already destroying a major missile engine testing site. That’s not in your signed document; we agreed to that after the agreement was signed. That’s a big thing — for the missiles that they were testing, the site is going to be destroyed very soon.
Today is the beginning of an arduous process. Our eyes are wide open, but peace is always worth the effort, especially in this case. This should have been done years ago. This should have been resolved a long time ago, but we’re resolving it now.
Chairman Kim has the chance to seize an incredible future for his people. Anyone can make war, but only the most courageous can make peace.
The current state of affairs cannot endure forever. The people of Korea — North and South — are profoundly talented, industrious, and gifted. These are truly gifted people. They share the same heritage, language, customs, culture, and destiny. But to realize their amazing destiny, to reunite their national family, the menace of nuclear weapons will now be removed.
In the meantime, the sanctions will remain in effect. We dream of a future where all Koreans can live together in harmony, where families are reunited and hopes are reborn, and where the light of peace chases away the darkness of war. This bright future is within — and this is what’s happening. It is right there. It’s within our reach. It’s going to be there. It’s going to happen. People thought this could never take place. It is now taking place. It’s a very great day. It’s a very great moment in the history of the world.
And Chairman Kim is on his way back to North Korea. And I know for a fact, as soon as he arrives, he’s going to start a process that’s going to make a lot of people very happy and very safe.
So it’s an honor to be with everybody today. The media — this is a big gathering of media, I will say. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. (Laughter.) But it is what it is. People understand that this is something very important to all of us, including yourselves and your families.
So thank you very much for being here. We’ll take some questions. Wow. That’s a lot of questions. Go ahead. Sure, go ahead. NBC.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Two questions for you, if you don’t mind. First, the man you met today, Kim Jong Un, as you know, has killed family members, has starved his own people, is responsible for the death of Otto Warmbier. Why are you so comfortable calling him “very talented”?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, he is very talented. Anybody that takes over a situation like he did, at 26 years of age, and is able to run it, and run it tough — I don’t say he was nice or I don’t say anything about it — he ran it. Very few people, at that age — you can take one out of ten thousand, probably, couldn’t do it.
Otto Warmbier is a very special person, and he will be for a long time, in my life. His parents are good friends of mine. I think, without Otto, this would not have happened. Something happened, from that day. It was a terrible thing. It was brutal. But a lot of people started to focus on what was going on, including North Korea.
I really think that Otto is someone who did not die in vain. I told this to his parents. Special young man. And I have to say, special parents, special people. Otto did not die in vain. He had a lot to do with us being here today. Okay? Thank you very much.
Q Mr. President, that second question for you, sir, was on the security — the second question, sir —
THE PRESIDENT: Go ahead.
Q — on the security assurances you talked about in your statement. Can you be specific about what assurances you are willing to give to Kim Jong Un? Does that include reducing military capabilities?
THE PRESIDENT: No.
Q And just to follow up on your answer —
THE PRESIDENT: No, we’re not reducing anything. We’re not reducing. At some point, I have to be honest — and I used to say this during my campaign, as you know, probably, better than most — I want to get our soldiers out. I want to bring our soldiers back home. We have, right now, 32,000 soldiers in South Korea, and I’d like to be able to bring them back home. But that’s not part of the equation right now. At some point, I hope it will be, but not right now.
We will be stopping the war games, which will save us a tremendous amount of money, unless and until we see the future negotiation is not going along like it should. But we’ll be saving a tremendous amount of money. Plus, I think it’s very provocative.
Yes, John. Yes, John, go ahead. Oh, go ahead. I’m sorry, I thought you were John Roberts. I looked at you, you just like —
Q It’s all right.
THE PRESIDENT: Much better, right?
Q Frequently — we’re frequently confused, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q Mr. President, this joint statement does not talk about verifiable or irreversible denuclearization.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q Was that a concession on the part of the United States?
THE PRESIDENT: No, not at all. Because if you look at it, I mean, it said we are going to — let’s see here — it will be gone. I don’t think you can be anymore plain than what we’re asking — “issues related to the establishment of the new U.S. DPRK relations” — the building. We talk about the guarantees, and we talk about “unwavering commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” This is the document that we just signed.
Q Did you discuss with Chairman Kim methods to verify, either with the United States or international organizations, that very process? And do you have a timetable —
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, we did. Yes, we did. And we’ll be verifying.
Q Can you give that to us?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, we’ll be verifying. It will be verified.
Q How is that going to be achieved, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it’s going to be achieved by having a lot of people there, and as we develop a certain trust. And we think we have done that. Secretary Pompeo has been really doing a fantastic job — his staff, everybody. As we do that, we’re going to have a lot of people there, and we’re going to be working with them on a lot of other things. But this is complete denuclearization of North Korea, and it will be verified.
Q Will those people be Americans or international —
THE PRESIDENT: Uh, combinations of both. Combinations of both. And we have talked about it, yes.
Yeah, go ahead. Be nice. Be respectful.
Q I’ll be very respectful, sir. What did Kim Jong Un say to you to give you the confidence that, for once in the history of North Korea, they are not cheating the system, and gaming the world, and gaming the people who will have to go in and make sure that they’re actually giving up their nuclear arsenal? What did he say to you?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I mean, very fair question. He actually mentioned the fact that they proceeded down a path in the past, and, ultimately, as you know, nothing got done. In one case, they took billions of dollars — during the Clinton regime — took billions of dollars and nothing happened. That was a terrible thing, and he actually brought it up to me.
And he said we have never gone this far. I don’t think they’ve ever had the confidence, frankly, in a President that they have right now for getting things done and having the ability to get things done. And he was very firm in the fact that he wants to do this. I think he might want to do this as much or even more than me because they see a very bright future for North Korea.
So you never know. Right? We never know. But I’ll tell you what, we signed a very comprehensive document today, and I think most of you have been given that document. But we signed a very, very comprehensive document, and I believe he’s going to live up to that document. In fact, when he lands — which is going to be shortly — I think that he will start that process right away.
Q Do you trust him, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: I do. I do. I can only say that I know him for — really well, it’s been very rhetorical, as you know. I think, without the rhetoric, it wouldn’t have happened. I think without other things going along — I think the establishment of a new team was very important. We have a great team. But I do, I think he wants to get it done. I really feel that very strongly.
Oh, there’s John. I think — you know, you two guys look alike when the light is right on the — the hair is very similar. Let me see, who has better hair? He’s got pretty good hair, John, I hate to —
Q It’s the angelic glow of the backlighting, Mr. President, that makes us look so similar. Of course, the denuclearization — nuclear weapons and biological weapons and whatnot — is one problem in North Korea. Another huge problem is the horrible record that they have on human rights. Was that discussed at all?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q Is that something that you will tackle in the future?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, it was discussed. It will be discussed more in the future — human rights. What was also discussed in great detail, John, was that fact that, you know, we have — and I must have had just countless calls and letters and tweets, anything you can do — they want the remains of their sons back. They want the remains of their fathers, and mothers, and all of the people that got caught into that really brutal war, which took place, to a large extent, in North Korea. And I asked for it today, and we got it. That was a very last minute. The remains will be coming back. They’re going to start that process immediately.
But so many people, even during the campaign, they’d say, “Is there any way you can work with North Korea to get the remains of my son back or my father back?” So many people asked me this question. And, you know, I said, “Look, we don’t get along too well with that particular group of people.” But now we do. And he agreed to that so quickly and so nice — it was really a very nice thing, and he understands it. He understands it.
So for the thousands and thousands — I guess way over 6,000 that we know of, in terms of the remains, they’ll be brought back.
Q The POW-MIA issue clearly is a very important one for thousands of Americans.
THE PRESIDENT: Especially to a lot of people that are —
Q But what do you, President Trump, expect Kim Jong Un to do about the human rights record regarding the North Korean people?
THE PRESIDENT: Right. It was discussed. It was discussed relatively briefly compared to denuclearization. Well, obviously, that’s where we started and where we ended. But they will be doing things, and I think he wants to do things. I think he wants to — you’d be very surprised. Very smart. Very good negotiator. Wants to do the right thing.
You know, he brought up the fact that, in the past, they took dialogue far — they never went — they never were like we are. There’s never been anything like what’s taken place now. But they went down the line. Billions of dollars were given, and you know, the following day the nuclear program continued. But this is a much different time, and this is a much different President, in all fairness. This is very important to me. This is one of the — perhaps, one of the reasons that I — one, I campaigned on this issue, as you know very well, John.
Okay. Whoever those people are. I cannot see you with all the lights, but you don’t look like either of the two. Yeah, go ahead. Sure. Go ahead.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. And first of all, congratulations.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Q Can you touch on the issue of a peace treaty? And also, will you travel to Pyongyang anytime soon?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, at a certain time, I will. I said that will be a day that I look very much forward to, at the appropriate time. And I also will be inviting Chairman Kim, at the appropriate time, to the White House. I think it’s really going to be something that will be very important. And he has accepted. I said, at the appropriate time. We want to go a little bit further down the road.
But what we signed today was a lot of things included. And then you have things that weren’t included that we got after the deal was signed. I’ve done that before in my life. We didn’t put it in the agreement because we didn’t have time. And I think most of you have been handed out the agreement or soon will. But I —
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, you have not? Okay. Well, if you could have those agreements passed out. We just finished them, just a little while ago. But if you could have the agreements passed out, we’ll — you’ll see what we’re talking about.
Yes, sir. Go ahead.
Q I will second the congratulations, President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q What part did Japan play? And did the abduction issue come up?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q And also, the fate of the Christians?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q And the follow-up question is when will you be doing an interview with Japanese TV? Fifty-thousand American troops are in Japan. Congratulations, again.
THE PRESIDENT: That’s true. Fifty-thousand great troops. That’s true. Yeah, it did — abduction. Absolutely. This is Prime Minister Abe’s — one of his, certainly — other than the whole denuking subject — certainly his, I would say, his main point. And I brought it up. Absolutely. And they’re going to be working on that. It will be — we didn’t put it down in the document, but it will be worked on.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Christians, yes. We are — brought it up very strongly. You know, Franklin Graham spent — spent and spends a tremendous amount of time in North Korea. He’s got it very close to his heart. It did come up, and things will be happening. Okay? Thank you. Great question.
Yes, Jon. Go ahead.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Jon.
Q Returning to the question of human rights, you spoke very powerfully on the issue during your State of the Union Address. You showed that — you had the defector in the First Lady’s box with the crutches, who escaped. And you, at that point, said that North Korea has more brutally oppressed its people than any other regime on Earth. Do you still believe that is the case having sat down with Kim Jong Un? And does he need to change that?
THE PRESIDENT: Right. Jon, I believe it’s a rough situation over there. There’s no question about it. And we did discuss it today pretty strongly. I mean, knowing what the main purpose of what we were doing is: denuking. But discussed it at pretty good length. We’ll be doing something on it. It’s rough. It’s rough in a lot of places, by the way. Not just there. But it’s rough, and we will continue that. And I think, ultimately, we’ll agree to something. But it was discussed at length outside of the nuclear situation, one of the primary topics.
Q But do you think that needs to change to bring on this glorious new era you’ve talked about? Are they going to have to —
THE PRESIDENT: I think it will change. Yeah. I think it probably has to, but I think it will. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Steve. That’s you, Steve? Right there.
Q Yes, sir. Thank you. What timetable do you envision for their denuclearization? And in the meantime, are you thinking about easing any sanctions?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, scientifically, I’ve been watching and reading a lot about this, and it does take a long time to pull off complete denuclearization. It takes a long time. Scientifically, you have to wait certain periods of time, and a lot of things happen. But…
Q Having sat down with Kim Jong Un. And does he have to change that?
THE PRESIDENT: Jon, I believe it’s a rough situation over there. There’s no question about it. And we did discuss it today pretty strongly. I mean, knowing what — the main purpose of what we were doing is: denuking. But discussed at pretty good length. We’ll be doing something on it. It’s rough. It’s rough in a lot of places, by the way — not just there. But it’s rough. And we will continue that, and I think, ultimately, we’ll agree to something. But it was discussed at length. Outside of — outside of the nuclear situation, one of the primary topics.
Q But do you think that needs to change to bring on this glorious new era you’ve talked about? Are they going to have to —
THE PRESIDENT: I think it will change, yeah. I think it probably has to. But I think it will. Yeah.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Steve? That’s you, Steve? Right there.
Q Yes, sir. Thank you. What timetable do you envision for their denuclearization? And in the meantime, are you thinking about easing any sanctions?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, scientifically, I’ve been watching and reading a lot about this, and it does take a long time to pull off complete denuclearization. It takes a long time. Scientifically, you have to wait certain periods of time, and a lot of things happen. But despite that, once you start the process, it means it’s pretty much over; you can’t use them. That’s the good news. And that’s going to start very — very soon. I believe that’s going to start very soon. We will do it as fast as it can mechanically and physically be done, Steve.
Q And the sanctions?
THE PRESIDENT: The sanctions will come off when we are sure that the nukes are no longer a factor. Sanctions played a big role, but they’ll come off at that point. I hope it’s going to be soon, but they’ll come off. As you know, and as I’ve said, the sanctions right now remain. But at a certain point, I actually look forward to taking them off. And they’ll come off when we know we’re down the road — where it’s not going to happen, nothing is going to happen. Okay?
Yes, go ahead. Please.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q Congratulations on this historic summit.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Congratulations to everybody, by the way. Congratulations to everybody.
Go ahead.
Q You signed a document with Kim Jong Un. It’s essentially a piece of paper. Yesterday, we had a briefing from the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He said the following: “Many Presidents previously have signed off on pieces of paper only to find that the North Koreans either didn’t promise what we thought they had, or actually reneged on those promises.” What makes this time different, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you have a different administration. You have a different President. You have a different Secretary of State. You have people that are — you know, it’s very important to them. And we get it done. The other groups, maybe it wasn’t a priority. I don’t think they could have done it if it was a priority, frankly. I don’t think they honestly could have done it even if it was a priority.
And it would have been easier back then. It would have been — for me, it would have been much easier if this were 10 years ago or 5 years ago. And I’m not just blaming President Obama. I mean, this goes back — for 25 years, this should have happened. I was given a very tough hand. I was given this, I was given the Iran deal, and plenty of other problems.
But we are — we’re doing really well. And the Iran deal, I have to be honest, I did it because nuclear is always number one to me. Nuclear is number one.
But on the Iran deal, I think Iran is a different country now than it was three or four months ago. I don’t think they’re looking so much to the Mediterranean. I don’t think they’re looking so much at Syria, like they were, with total confidence. I don’t think they’re so confident right now.
But I hope — with that being said, I hope that, at the appropriate time, after these sanctions kick in — and they are brutal, what we’ve put on Iran — I hope that they’re going to come back and negotiate a real deal, because I’d love to be able to do that. But right now, it’s too soon for that.
Yes, please.
Q Mr. President, you also didn’t talk about establishing diplomatic relations, exchanging ambassadors. How long before that happens?
THE PRESIDENT: Good question. Hopefully soon. But we’ll have to get things moving first. Very — a little bit early for that. We have to get things moving.
Yes, go ahead. Hi.
Q Can you clarify, when you said you were stopping “war games,” so you are stopping the military exercises with South Korea?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, we’ve done exercises for a long period of time, working with South Korea. And we call them “war games,” and I call them “war games.” And they’re tremendously expensive. The amount of money that we spend on that is incredible. And South Korea contributes, but not 100 percent, which is certainly a subject that we have to talk to them about also. And that has to do with the military expense and also the trade.
So we’re doing that. We actually have a new deal with South Korea, in terms of the trade deal, but we have to talk to them. We have to talk to many countries about treating us fairly.
But the war games are very expensive. We pay for a big majority of them. We fly in bombers from Guam. I said — when I first started, I said, “Where do the bombers come from?” “Guam. Nearby.” I said, “Oh, great, nearby. Where’s nearby?” “Six and a half hours.” Six and a half hours — that’s a long time for these big massive planes to be flying to South Korea to practice and then drop bombs all over the place, and then go back to Guam. I know a lot about airplanes; it’s very expensive. And I didn’t like it.
And what I did say is — and I think it’s very provocative, I have to tell you, Jennifer, it’s a very provocative situation when I see that, and you have a country right next door. So under the circumstances that we are negotiating a very comprehensive, complete deal, I think it’s inappropriate to be having war games.
So, number one, we save money — a lot. And number two, it really is something that I think they very much appreciate it.
Q Does North Korea give you something in return, though?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’ve gotten — you know, I’ve heard that. I mean, some of the people that — I don’t know, maybe they really mean it. I don’t always want to go against the press because I just don’t — especially not today, this is too important. But I noticed that some of the people were saying that the President has agreed to meet, he has given up so much. I gave up nothing. I’m here. I haven’t slept in 25 hours, but I thought it was appropriate to do — because we have been negotiating for literally around the clock with them, and with us, and with John, and with Mike, and a whole team of very talented people.
But we haven’t given up anything, other than — you’re right, I agreed to meet. And I think the meeting was every bit as good for the United States as it was for North Korea. But I just wrote down some of the things we got. And they — you know, they — sure, they got a meeting. But only a person that dislikes Donald Trump would say that I’ve agreed to make a big commitment.
Sure, I’ve agreed to take a period of time and come here and meet, and that’s good. But I think it’s great for us, as a country, and I think it’s good for them.
But what did they do to justify this meeting? Secured commitment for complete denuclearization; that’s the big thing. They secured the release of three American hostages. They already gave them to us two months ago. These people are now living happily back in their homes, with their families. And it was pretty rough for them, to put it mildly.
Secure the commitment to recover the remains, including — these are of fallen heroes. And they’re giving a commitment, they’re starting it immediately, to recover their remains. And I just went through how many people asked me about it. I was amazed, actually. So many people would ask me, “Is it possible? Is it possible?” At that time we had no relationship to Chairman Kim or to anybody else in North Korea. You know, it was a very closed society. So we’re getting the remains back.
Secured the halt of all missile and nuclear tests for — how long has it been? Seven months? You haven’t had a missile go up. For seven months, you haven’t had a nuclear test; you haven’t had a nuclear explosion. I remember a nuclear event took place — 8.8 in the Richter scale. And they announced — I heard it on the radio — they announced that a massive — you know, an earthquake took place somewhere in Asia. And then they said it was in North Korea. And then they found out it was a nuclear test. I said, “I never heard of a Richter scale in the high 8s.”
And if you look, there has been no missile launches. They’ve blown up their missile area. That’s going to take place. That has not been written into the contract. We’re going to give you the exact details on that. But they secured a halt of all missiles and of all nuclear tests. They secured the closure of their single primary nuclear test site. All three of them — they’re in an area that’s common around each other — they secured the closure.
They secured the commitment to destroy the missile engine testing site. That was not in your agreement. I got that after we signed the agreement. I said, “Do me a favor. You’ve got this missile engine testing site. We know where it is because of the heat.” It’s incredible the equipment we have, to be honest with you. I said, “Can you close it up?” He’s going to close it up.
We maintained the ability to continue to apply sanctions. So we’re applying sanctions. Now I had 300 sanctions that I was getting ready to put on last week. And I said, you know, I can’t really put on sanctions when I’m meeting with — I thought it would be very disrespectful. Three hundred very big ones, powerful ones. And I said it would be disrespectful.
So, Jennifer, when you look at all of those things that we got — and when we got our hostages back, I didn’t pay $1.8 billion in cash like the hostages that came back from Iran, which was a disgraceful situation, what took place.
So we’ve gotten a lot. So when I hear somebody in the media say that President Trump has agreed to meet — like, it’s not a big deal to meet. I think we should meet on a lot of different topics, not just this one. And I really believe a lot of great things can happen.
Yes. Go ahead, please.
Q Sir, you just listed off a lot of things that you say you got in this meeting. It wasn’t too long ago, though, that you said you defined the success of this meeting by North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that’s what they’re doing.
Q Well, can you talk about how —
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. That’s what they’re doing. I mean, I don’t think the —
Q — how you pressed Kim Jong Un for complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I did, honestly —
Q And can you why you didn’t secure those details in this agreement?
THE PRESIDENT: Because there was no time. I’m here one day. We’re together for many hours intensively, but the process is now going to take place. And I would be surprised, Mike, if they haven’t even started already. They have started; they blew up their sites. They blew up their testing site.
But I will say, he knew, prior to coming — you know, this wasn’t like a surprise. It wasn’t like we’ve never discussed it. We discussed it. Mike discussed it very strongly with his counterpart in North Korea. They knew that this was — let’s say they didn’t agree to that I couldn’t sign any agreement. There was no agreement that could have been signed. So they understood that.
And it wasn’t a big point today because, really, this had been taken care of, more than any other thing. Because it was all about this. This has been taken care of before we got here. So when we brought that up today, you see the language. It’s very strong. It’s in the document.
Yes, ma’am.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Could you talk about the military consequences for North Korea if they don’t follow through on the commitments that you’re talking about? Could there be military action?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t want to talk. Yeah, I know. That’s a tough thing to talk about because I don’t want to be threatening. I don’t want to be threatening. They understood that. And you’ve seen what was, perhaps, going to happen.
And you know, Seoul has 28 million people. We think we have big cities. You look at New York, where it has 8 million people. We think it’s a big city. Seoul has 28 million people. Think of that. And it’s right next to the border. It’s right next to the DMZ. It’s right there. I mean, if this would have happened, I think — you know, I’ve heard, oh, a hundred-thousand people. I think you could have lost 20 million people, 30 million people. This is really an honor for me to be doing this because I think, you know, potentially, you could have lost, you know, 30-, 40-, 50 million people. The city of Seoul, one of the biggest cities in the world, is right next to the border.
Q You once spoke about fire and fury. Is that no longer the case?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, at that time we needed, perhaps, fire and fury. Because we could not have allowed that kind of capability from the standpoint of the United States. And certainly, Japan wasn’t going to allow it either. Japan is right next door.
Q One more thing. Mr. President, could you tell us about the video that you showed before this?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q When did you show that to Kim? What was the goal there?
THE PRESIDENT: Today. Yeah, we had it made up by some — I hope you liked it. I thought it was good. I thought it was interesting enough to show. One in English and one in Korean. And we had it made up. I showed it to him today. Actually, during the meeting — toward the end of the meeting. And I think he loved it. They were giving — we didn’t have a big screen like you have the luxury of having. We didn’t need it because we had it on a cassette and — an iPad. And they played it. And about eight of their representatives were watching it, and I thought they were fascinated.
But I thought it was well done. I showed it to you because that’s the future. I mean, that could very well be the future. And the other alternative is just not a very good alternative. It’s just not good. But I showed it because I really want him to do something. Now, I don’t think I had to show it because I really believe he wants to — I think he wants to get it done.
Yes. Go ahead. How’s Staten Island Ferry doing? Okay? He wrote the best story about me with the Staten Island Ferry. And after that, he’s never written a good story.
Q That’s a long time ago, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know what happened. It’s a long time ago.
Q Mr. President, it’s been a busy week for you on the international stage. You’re leaving this summit here in Singapore having determined that Kim Jong Un is a talented man. You left the G7 Summit a few days ago in Canada having determined that Prime Minister Trudeau is weak and dishonest. What do you say to America’s allies who worry that you might be jeopardizing our long-term alliances and who worry that you might be treating our historic friends as enemies and our historic enemies as friends?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I think it’s a very fair question. I had a very good meeting with the G7. And I left the meeting. And, I’ll be honest, we are being taken advantage of by virtually every one of those countries. Very, very seriously. Now, the United States, because of bad management at the top, because of Presidents that didn’t care about trade or didn’t understand it or whatever reason. For many years, with China being, obviously, the most successful at it, but the European Union is second — $151 billion we lost. They were represented at the meeting. And we’re being taken advantage of on trade.
Canada does have very big advantages over us in terms of trade deficits. We have a big trade deficit with Canada, I was reading, where, oh, it’s actually a surplus. Not a surplus. It’s either 17, but it could actually be 100. You know, they put out a document. I don’t know if you saw it. They didn’t want me to see it, but we found it. Perhaps they were trying to show the power they have. It’s close to $100 billion a year loss with Canada.
They don’t take our farm products — many of them. They charge what was 270 percent, but somebody told me the other day that a few months ago they raised it to 295 percent for dairy products. And it’s very unfair to our farmers, and it’s very unfair to the people of our country — the workers, the farmers, the companies. And we are not able to trade. They have tremendous barriers up. They have tremendous tariffs.
So when I put in a countervailing tariff just to get us up a little bit so the balance isn’t so much — it’s like this — they said, “Oh, that’s so terrible.” I said, “What’s terrible?” We have to catch you a little bit. We have to have a little balance. Even if it’s not complete, we have to have a little balance. I say this with many countries.
Anyway, we came — we finished the meeting. Really, everybody was happy. And I agreed to sign something. I asked for changes; I demanded changes. And those changes were made. In fact, the picture with Angela Merkel, who I get along with very well, where I’m sitting there like this, that picture was we’re waiting for the document because I wanted to see the final document as changed by the changes that I requested.
That was a very friendly — I know it didn’t look friendly, and I know it was reported like sort of nasty both ways. I was angry at her or she — actually, we were just talking, the whole group, about something unrelated to everything, very friendly, waiting for the document to come back so I could read it before I leave.
Anyway, I left and it was very friendly. When I got onto the plane, I think that Justin probably didn’t know that Air Force One has about 20 televisions, and I see the television. And he’s giving a news conference about how he will not be pushed around by the United States. And I say, push him around? We just shook hands. It was very friendly.
Look, countries cannot continue to take advantage of us on trade. The number are out. Over the last couple of years, and over the last many years — but over the last couple of years, this country has lost $800 billion on trade with other countries, the biggest one being China. Eight-hundred billion dollars. A hundred fifty-one billion with the European Union. They don’t take our agricultural products, barely. They don’t take a lot of what we have, and yet they send Mercedes into us, they send BMWs into us by the millions. It’s very unfair, and it’s very unfair to our workers. And I’m going to straighten it out. And it won’t even be tough. Okay? Thank you.
Go ahead. Go ahead.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: I would like to involve Congress, yes. And no, I have a good relationship with Justin Trudeau. I really did. Other than he had a news conference that he had because he assumed I was in an airplane and I wasn’t watching. He learned. That’s going to cost a lot of money for the people of Canada. He learned. You can’t do that. You can’t do that.
We laughed. We had a very good relationship. I’ve had a good relationship with Justin. I have a good relationship with all. I have a very good relationship with Angela Merkel. But on NATO, we’re paying 4.2 percent; she’s paying 1 percent of a much smaller GDP than we have. We’re paying 4.2 percent on a much larger — we’re paying for — I mean, anyone can say — from 60 to 90 percent of NATO. And we’re protecting countries of Europe. And then on top of it, they kill us on trade. So we just can’t have it that way. It’s unfair to our taxpayers and to our people.
But no, I have a good relationship with Justin. And I have a, I think, a very good relationship with Chairman Kim right now. I really do. I think — I hope it’s good because if it is, we’re going to solve a very big problem. I think we’ve gone a long way to solving it today.
Should we keep going for a little while? Sarah? I don’t know. It’s up to the legendary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Should we keep going, Sarah? Okay, we’ll go. Well, I don’t care. Hey, you know, it just means we get home a little later in the evening. Right?
Yeah. Go ahead. Sure. Go ahead. Go ahead.
Q Hi, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: How are you?
Q I’m good.
THE PRESIDENT: Nice to see you.
Q From The Straits Times of Singapore. Welcome to the country.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
Q I hope you enjoyed our food.
THE PRESIDENT: Beautiful country. I did.
Q I just wanted to find out. You described this as a process. What is the immediate next step? Is there some ongoing dialogue —
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. We’re getting together next week to go into the details.
Q And that’s (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Secretary Pompeo. Yeah. Next week, with John Bolton and our entire team, to go over the details and to get this stuff done. We want to get it done; he wants to get it done. We’re also working very much with South Korea. We’re working with Japan. We’re working with China, to a lesser extent, but we’re working with China.
Q And you are coming back to Singapore?
THE PRESIDENT: I would come back gladly. Your Prime Minister was fantastic. We were with him yesterday. He’s done a great job. It was very welcoming. It really, probably had — it probably made a difference, actually. It’s a great place.
Thank you very much.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, ma’am.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. What was it about that first interaction with Chairman Kim this morning that that made you decide not to walk away after you said that you would know within the first minute if he was sincere or not?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. I’ve said that about relationships. I’ve said that about people. You know in the first second. Now, I was generous. I said five seconds. But you know in the first second, in some cases. Sometimes that doesn’t work out. But sometimes it does.
From the beginning, we got along. But there’s been a lot of groundwork. This wasn’t like we went and we started talking about — as you know, right? We didn’t just come in and start talking about these very complex subjects that have been going on for 70 years. We’ve been discussing this for months. And, you know, once the rhetoric stopped, once they did a great thing –you know, North Korea did a great thing by going to the Olympics. Because the Olympics — and President Moon will tell you this — the Olympics was not exactly doing great. People didn’t feel like being bombed out of the Opening Ceremonies. You know, they weren’t exactly selling tickets. And as soon as the Chairman — Chairman Kim — said, “Let’s participate in the Olympics,” it sold like wildfire and was a great success as an Olympics. It was a great success. He did a great thing.
But since that time, pretty much since that time — because, as you know, a delegation came from South Korea who had just met with North Korea. They came to the White House. They told me lots of things, including the fact that they’d be willing to denuke. We have one of their great people here today. That they were willing to denuke. And once that started, we have been really talking about that from the end of the Olympics when the whole delegation came to say various things, including denuking.
Q If I may, a second question. In the document that you signed earlier today, North Korea agreed to commit to denuclearization. To borrow a phrase that you have used to criticize your predecessors and political opponents, how do you ensure that North Korea is not all talk, no action going forward?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think can you ensure anything? Can I ensure that you’re going to be able to sit down properly when you sit down? I mean, you can’t ensure anything. All I can say is they want to make a deal. That’s what I do. My whole life has been deals. I’ve done great at it, and that’s what I do. And I know when somebody wants to deal, and I know when somebody doesn’t. A lot of politicians don’t. That’s not their thing, but it is my thing.
I mean, again, this really could have been done, I think, easier a long time ago. But I know for a — I just feel very strongly — my instinct, my ability, or talent — they want to make a deal. And making a deal is a great thing for the world. It’s also a great thing for China because I can’t imagine that China has, you know, is happy with somebody having nuclear weapons so close. So, you know, that’s — China was very helpful.
So I think he wants to make a deal. Can anybody be certain? But we’re going to be certain soon because the negotiations continue. Okay? Thank you very much.
Go ahead.
Q You mentioned that you have raised extensively the issue of human rights with Chairman Kim.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q I wonder what you would say to the group of people who have no ability whatsoever to hear or to see this press conference — the 100,000 North Koreans kept in a network of gulags. Have you betrayed them by legitimizing the regime in Pyongyang?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I think I’ve helped them because I think things will change. I think I’ve helped them. There’s nothing I can say. All I can do is do what I can do. We have to stop the nuclearization. We have to do other things, and that’s a very important thing. So at a certain point, hopefully, you’ll be able to ask me a much more positive question or make a statement.
But not much I can do right now. At a certain point, I really believe he’s going to do things about it. I think they are one of the great winners today, that large group of people that you’re talking about. I think, ultimately, they’re going to be one of the great winners as a group.
Yes, sir. Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah.
Q Would you ever consider removing the sanctions without significant improvement in the human rights situation?
THE PRESIDENT: No. I want significant improvement. I want to know that it won’t be happening. And again, once you start that process, there will be a point at which, even though you won’t be finished for a while because it can’t happen scientifically or mechanically, but you’re not going to be able to go back. You know, once we reach that point, I’ll start to give that very serious thought.
Yes. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. You first.
Q Mr. President, did you also discuss the cost of denuclearization and how North Korea is about to foot the bill while the crippling sanctions remain in place? I’m from (inaudible) News Agency Singapore.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that South Korea and I think that Japan will help them very greatly. I think they’re prepared to help them. They know they’re going to have to help them. I think they’re going to help them very greatly. We won’t have to help them. The United States has been paying a big price in a lot of different places. But South Korea, which obviously is right next door, and Japan, which essentially is next door, they’re going to be helping them. And I think they’re going to be doing a very generous job and a terrific job. So they will be helping them.
Yes, ma’am. Go ahead. Behind. Yes.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q I’d like to follow up on Steve’s question. He asked you how long it would take to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. You said a long time. What does that mean?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t know, when you say a long time. I think we will do it as fast as it can be done scientifically, as fast as it can be done mechanically. I don’t think — I mean, I’ve read horror stories. It’s a 15-year process. Okay? Assuming you wanted to do it quickly, I don’t believe that. I think whoever wrote that is wrong. But there will be a point at which, when you’re 20 percent through, you can’t go back.
I had an uncle who was a great professor for, I believe, 40 years at MIT. And I used to discuss nuclear with him all the time. He was a great expert. He was a great, brilliant genius. Dr. John Trump at MIT. I think he was there 40 years, I was told. In fact, the head of MIT sent me a book on my uncle. But we used to talk about nuclear. You’re talking about a very complex subject. It’s not just like, “Oh, gee. Let’s get rid of the nukes.” It takes a period of time.
But the main period of time that I’m talking is that first period, when you hit a certain point you can’t go back. It’s very hard to go back.
Q And how long will that take?
THE PRESIDENT: We don’t know, but it will go pretty quickly.
Go ahead. Sure.
Q Thanks, Mr. President. I wanted to ask again on the sanctions campaign.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q You alluded at the very beginning that the Chinese are not doing as great a job securing the border as they were before. You expressed some doubts when Kim went to see President Xi. The Russian foreign minister was in Pyongyang and said there shouldn’t be any sanctions while these negotiations are under way. And the South Koreans are now talking about restoring some form of trade. So with all of those players appearing to be moving toward eroding sanctions, how can you keep the sanctions regime in place? What leverage do you have on these countries?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think we have a lot of leverage. I think we have tremendous leverage. I do believe that China, despite my relationship with President Xi — a man who I told you I have great respect for and like, also, a lot. You know, we’re having very tough talks on trade. And I think that probably affects China somewhat. But I have to do what I have to do. And I think, over the last two months, the border is more open than it was when we first started. But that is what it is. We have to do it. We have a tremendous deficit in trade, commonly known as a trade deficit. We have a tremendous deficit in trade with China, and we have to do something about it. We can’t continue to let that happen.
And I think that has had an impact on my relationship, in terms of the border. I don’t think it has the relationship — you know, I don’t think it affects my feeling or my relationship to President Xi. But when we first started, we weren’t ready to go that route. And as we started preparing and getting ready to do that, I think that’s had an impact on, frankly, the border. Which is a shame. But I have to do it. I have no choice. For our country, I have to do it.
South Korea will do whatever is necessary to get a deal done. And if that means we can’t trade, then I’m not going to trade. They’re definitely not going to trade. If they think — and they would do this with our concurrence — if they think that they can do some work because we’re very far down the line — we’re actually very far. You know, that document, when you read it today, that’s far down the line. That’s not something that just happened to be put together. This was done over months. And again, the rhetoric was important, and the sanctions were important. I don’t even know which one was more important. They were both important.
Yeah. Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, David Sanger for The New York Times. I was wondering if you could give us some sense of whether the Chairman Kim told you how many nuclear weapons he believes he’s made, whether he’s willing to turn those over first, and then whether, in your mind, you need to do more than was done in the Iran deal for actually dismantling the — both the uranium and the plutonium processes. And whether or not you had a sense that Chairman Kim really understood what that involves and had a timetable in his own mind of shutting that.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, David, I can tell you he understands. He understands it so well. He understands it better than the people that are doing the work for him. That is an easy one. As far as what he has, it’s substantial. Very substantial. The timing will go quickly. I believe you’ll see some good action. I mean, as an example, one of the things with the missile site, I think you’re probably surprised to hear that — that was a throw-in at the end, the missile site.
But I really believe, David, that it’s going to go very quickly. I really believe that it’s going to go fast. And it is a very substantial arsenal. There’s no question about it. You know, I used to say maybe it’s all talk and no action. But we have pretty good intelligence into that. Although, probably less there than any other country. You understand that maybe better than anybody in the room. Probably less there than any other country. But we have enough intelligence to know that what they have is very substantial.
This is why, David, I always say that this shouldn’t have taken place so late into the process. Wouldn’t this have been better if it was 5 years ago or 20 years ago or 15 years ago and we didn’t have to worry about not having a successful meeting like today? So — and I still love my first interview with you, David. I still have that interview, actually.
Yeah. Go ahead.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q (Inaudible) the second summit — if there is a second summit with Chairman Kim Jong Un, would it be in Pyongyang or Washington?
THE PRESIDENT: We haven’t set that up. We’ll probably need another summit. We’ll probably need — or meeting. We can use a different term. But we’ll probably need another one. We’ll probably — I will say this, we’re much further along than I would have thought. I did not think we’d be here. I thought — and I’ve told people — I didn’t want to build up people’s hopes too much. I told people I thought that this would be a successful meeting if we got along, we developed a relationship, and we could have maybe gotten to this point in three or four months from now. But it really happened very quickly. A lot of that was because of the foundation that was, you know, put down before we met. A lot of things happened very fast.
We didn’t have — as an example, bringing back the remains. That was not one of the things that was on our agenda today. I brought that up at the very end because so many people have talked to me about it. And I brought it up at the very end. And he was really very gracious. Instead of saying, “Well, let’s talk about it the next time.” He said, “It makes sense. We will do it.”
And he knew — you know, they know where many of those incredible people are. Where they’re buried along roads, along highways, along paths, usually, because our soldiers were moving back and forth and they had to move rapidly. It’s very sad. But he knew. And that was brought up at the very end. And you know, it was really great that he was able to do it. A lot of people are going to be very happy about that.
Yes. Go ahead, please.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q Emerald Robinson, One America News. Congratulations.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you for the nice way you treat us. We appreciate it. Really, it’s very good. It’s really beautiful what you do. Go ahead.
Q So you —
THE PRESIDENT: And now I’ll probably get this killer question.
Q (Laughs.) Well, I do want to talk about the future of North Korea.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. It’s all right.
Q Specifically the people are — Kim Jong Un is saying he’s wanting a brighter future with prosperity for his people, yet we know they’ve lived under oppression. You showed him this video of what the future can be like. But do you have an idea specifically of the model that you would like to go towards? Economically, is he open to more economic freedom?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, it’s a good question. So you saw a tape today, and that, I think, was done really well. But that was done at the highest level of future development. I told him, you may not want this. You may want to do a much smaller version of this. I mean, you’re going to do something. But you may want to do a smaller version. You may not want that with the trains and the everything. You know, it’s super — everything the top. And maybe you won’t want that. It’s going to be up to them. It’s going to be up to them. It’s going to be up to the people what they want. They may not want that. I can understand that too.
But that was a version of what could happen, what could take place. As an example, they have great beaches. You see that whenever they’re exploding their cannons into the ocean, right? I said, “Boy, look at the view. Wouldn’t that make a great condo behind?” And I explained, I said, “You know, instead of doing that, you could have the best hotels in the world right there.” Think of it from a real estate perspective. You have South Korea, you have China, and they own the land in the middle. How bad is that, right? It’s great. But I told him, I said, you may not want to do what’s there. You may want to do a smaller version of it or — you know. And that could be.
Although, I tell you what — he looked at that tape, he looked at that iPad, and I’m telling you they really enjoyed it, I believe. Okay?
Yeah. Go ahead. A couple more. Okay. We’ll do three more. Yeah. Go ahead. Go.
Q Brian Bennett from Time Magazine.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Hi, Brian. Am I on the cover again this week? Boy, have I — so many covers.
Q It’s entirely possible.
THE PRESIDENT: Huh? I know. That’s okay.
Q Do you now see Kim Jong Un as an equal?
THE PRESIDENT: In what way?
Q You just showed a video that showed you and Kim Jong Un on equal footing in discussing the future of —
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think that — I don’t view it that way. See, I don’t view it that way. I’ll do whatever it takes to make the world a safer place. If I have to say I’m sitting on a stage — I mean, I understand what you’re getting at. If I have to say I’m sitting on a stage with Chairman Kim and that’s going to get us to save 30 million lives — could be more than that — I’m willing to sit on the stage. I’m willing to travel to Singapore very proudly, very gladly.
Again, I — you know, other than the fact that it is taking my time, they have given up a tremendous amount. They’ve given it up even before. And even add the Olympics to it. You know, you could add the Olympics to the question. They went to the Olympics. They took an Olympics that was going to be a massive failure that maybe wouldn’t have even opened, and they made it a tremendous success by agreeing to participate. Add that to the list of things that they’ve done.
So, Brian, if I can save millions of lives by coming here, sitting down, and establishing a relationship with someone who’s a very powerful man, who’s got firm control of a country, and that country has very powerful nuclear weapons, it’s my honor to do it.
Q Are you concerned that the video you just showed could be used by Kim as propaganda to show him as an equal —
THE PRESIDENT: No, I’m not concerned at all. We can use that video for other countries.
Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, in the year 2000, President Clinton got a request by Kim Jong Il.
THE PRESIDENT: Got impressed?
Q Got a request —
THE PRESIDENT: Oh.
Q From Kim Jong Il to travel to Pyongyang and meet him. And Clinton refused. He sent Secretary of State Albright.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. He did a great deal. And he spent $3 billion and got nothing. And he started making nuclear weapons a day later.
Q Mr. President, you, on the other hand, got the request and right away went here to meet him. And do you understand those people who say that you gave him the ultimate present — the legitimacy to a regime who oppress its people without an ongoing process before you, as the U.S. President, as the leader of the free world, meet and shake hands with this leader of North Korea who is perceived to be oppressing brutally his own people?
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Good. I think we just answered the question.
Q But do you understand those people?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I understand them much better than you do.
Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead. Thank you very much. Yes.
Q Mr. President, Eliana Johnson with Politico.
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. Hi.
Q Hi. You mentioned a couple specific concessions that you got from Kim: the return of remains and the destruction of the nuclear site. And I know you said that was an add-on —
THE PRESIDENT: And much more. And much more than that.
Q Yeah. I know you said the last thing was an add-on and it wasn’t in the agreement, but that he gave you his word. If he doesn’t follow through on these things, what are you prepared to do in response? And will you lose faith in this process?
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think he’ll do it. I really believe that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing this. I really believe it. And it was really the engine testing site, in addition to all of the other things that they’ve agreed to do. It was the — they have a very powerful engine testing site that, again, we’re able to see because of the heat that it emits. And, yeah, I’m able to — I’m very happy. I’ll tell you what — I’m very happy with those two points — the two points you mentioned.
But I think you might be referring to the thing that’s not in, which is the engine testing site. I think he’s — I think — honestly, I think he’s going to do these things. I may be wrong. I mean, I may stand before you in six months and say, “Hey, I was wrong.” I don’t know that I’ll ever admit that, but I’ll find some kind of an excuse. (Laughter.)
Okay, one or two. One more. Come on. Yeah, go ahead. Sure.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you.
Q (Inaudible) with Xinhua Media Group China. I just would like to know, will you call Chinese President Xi when you come back to D.C. to discuss about achievements you made today with Chairman Kim?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I will.
Q And what’s your expectation about China’s role to accelerate the process to establish a long-term peace mechanism?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, my expectation about China is that China is a great country with a great leader, and a friend of mine. And I really believe that he’s happy that we’ve made this kind of progress. And I’ve heard from him. But I will be calling him very shortly. Maybe even before I land. Okay?
And I have to say, you know — and the United States is a great country. And we have set records economically — over $7 trillion in net worth addition to what we have. And we are almost twice the size, the economy of the United States. Nobody talks about this, because you do hear a lot about China, rightfully so. But the United States, now, is almost twice the size of the economy of China. We have a great country and we’re on a correct path.
Okay. One more. That will be it.
Q Mr. President, from South Korea.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, South Korea? Where’s South Korea? I think you deserve — go ahead. Go. You deserve one. Yes. You deserve one.
Q I’ve got two questions for you, Mr. President. First, you mentioned earlier that you’re going to talk with South Korean President Moon Jae-in over the phone.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q What do you plan to discuss with him?
THE PRESIDENT: I just want to tell him about the meeting. Very successful. And he’ll be very much involved in the final negotiation. He’s a very, very fine gentleman. Also a friend of mine. And I look forward to speaking. He’ll be very happy when he hears about — I’ve already sent word to him about what happened. I sent the document to him, actually, and all of the details behind the document. So I’ll be talking to him very shortly.
Q If I may ask another question. In signing the peace treaty, do you hope to — do you plan to work this out with North Korea’s Chairman Kim only, or what do you think about the involvement of South Korea and China as the signatories?
THE PRESIDENT: I’d like to have them involved also. There’s a question as to whether or not we’re supposed to or whether or not we legally have to. I don’t care. I think it would be great to have China involved and also, of course, South Korea. Okay?
Q Is there a transcript of (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: What?
Q Is there a transcript of (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, do they have a transcript? They probably have a rough transcript, which you can give us, if you have one.
Q So that was recorded?
THE PRESIDENT: No, they didn’t record it. I don’t think they recorded it. Are there any recordings of it? I wish there were. Because it is interesting stuff.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: Say it?
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t. We probably have some notes or something. But they have, actually, detailed notes, I would imagine. But we had a great conversation. It was a very heart-felt conversation.
Q How do you believe (inaudible) verify —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t have to verify because I have one of the great memories of all time. So I don’t have to. Okay? Okay?
Q What about the previous phone calls you had with Kim Jong Un? You had phone calls (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, but I don’t want to discuss it. But we did is we’ve had numerous discussions. We’ve had very important relationships established at Mike’s level and other levels. In fact, a couple of people are here from, as you know, from North Korea. They’re in the room. We have a few people in the back also, in the room.
So when we went into this final agreement, very importantly, we really didn’t go in cold. We went in with tremendous relationship and tremendous knowledge. And I think that’s why we got it done.
So I’m going to head back. I don’t know about you folks, but it’s been a long time since I’ve taken it easy. So now we can take it a little bit easy, and then the work begins again. And I appreciate everybody being here. I hope we’ve answered your questions. And thank you very much. And sort of congratulations to everybody, because this is, really — to me it’s a very important event in world history. And to be really true to myself, I have to add, I want to get it completed. ”
So Mike, our whole team has to get to work and get it completed. Because otherwise, we’ve done a good job. But if you don’t the ball over the goal line, it doesn’t mean enough. Okay?
So thank you, and sort of congratulations to everybody in the room. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. (Applause)
END
5:20 P.M. SGT
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
WTAS: Support For President Donald J. Trump’s Summit With North Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 12, 2018
The Content
Members of Congress
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “Today I congratulate the President on this major step and share his hope that it will begin a process that leads to an historic peace.”
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI): “For decades, American policy toward North Korea has failed, and I commend @POTUS for not accepting the status quo. As negotiations now advance, there is only one acceptable final outcome: complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization.”
Sen. David Perdue (R-GA): “This critical summit is happening because of President Trump’s leadership and unwavering resolve to make the world a safer place. We want to move toward the objectives President Trump has laid out: total denuclearization, as well as a potential peace treaty to end the Korean War, with reunification talks down the road.”
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH): “I have long called for a direct dialogue between the U.S. & #NorthKorea, and I have supported this summit with the goal of achieving a peaceful solution that includes North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “Congratulations to President Trump bringing this about. This an historic opportunity to end the Korean War, get North Korea to give up their weapons and missiles that threaten us and the world in return for security guarantees and prosperity.”
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD): “Good news coming from Singapore. @POTUS has made early strides in making our world a safer place. A lot of work to do yet.”
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL): “The U.S./North Korea summit was a historic event and a good first step toward peace.”
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL): “… I have confidence in @POTUS, @SecPompeo, and their team to continue pushing for a strong agreement.”
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ): “I am encouraged by the news of a successful #SingaporeSummit. @POTUS’ historic meeting moves us closer to the possibility of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and an overall more peaceful world.”
Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN): “We finally have a commander in chief who, rather than lead from behind, has embraced challenges and inspired a new era of American leadership and diplomacy. President Trump’s peace through strength strategy has re-asserted America back to the front of the world stage.”
Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA): “Once again, President Trump has shown his great leadership skills on a world stage by obtaining North Korea’s commitment to denuclearize. The global community can breathe easier this morning.”
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD): “I am encouraged by positive reports coming from the Singapore Summit. President Trump has made more progress in the last year and a half than previous presidents made over several decades.”
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO): “I’m encouraged with the positive news coming out of today’s summit between the U.S. and North Korea. These talks are an important step towards lasting peace in the region.”
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE): “Our President’s first meeting was successful and this effort has confounded presidents before him.”
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH): “I applaud President Trump and those on his team working tirelessly to address the real and growing North Korean nuclear threat. The strategy used by previous administrations, both Republican and Democratic, clearly did not work, and it was time for a new approach.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH): “Congratulations to @POTUS on the historic summit with North Korea! This is an important step towards greater peace and prosperity for the whole world.”
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA): “President Donald J. Trump’s summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is a momentous, historic undertaking to be celebrated…. I’m particularly moved, relieved and grateful for the President’s ability to get North Korea’s commitment for us to recover the remains of US Prisoners of War and our Troops Missing in Action from the Korean War.”
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): “Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will make America and the world more secure…. I applaud @realDonaldTrump’s efforts.”
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN): “Last night, @realDonaldTrump exemplified what it means to be a leader, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean head of state.”
Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN): “I’m proud President Trump made strides towards peace with North Korea in his meeting with Kim Jong-Un. Pursuing a strategy to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula while taking concrete steps towards de-escalation should be a significant step towards peace and global security.”
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX): “Today’s summit in Singapore is tangible evidence that President Trump is achieving unprecedented progress with his peace-seeking efforts. Under President Trump’s leadership, this year the world witnessed Kim Jong Un cross the DMZ and embrace President Moon Jae In – an act that would have been inconceivable mere months ago.”
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX): “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his meeting with Kim Jong Un and moving forward in negotiations on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Doing what no other POTUS has done, Trump has made history with this first meeting.”
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA): “I’m encouraged by the goals @POTUS set to denuclearize North Korea and protect America.”
Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI): “After @POTUS @realDonaldTrump met with Kim, we are closer (but of course need to solidify process) to denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
Governors
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R): “I commend @POTUS for taking strides to bring about peace & stability on the Korean Peninsula & congratulate him for a successful meeting in Singapore. @realDonaldTrump is right in saying only the most courageous can make peace. This truly is a historic moment for the world.”
Guam Governor Eddie Calvo (R): “This agreement paves the way for peace between the U.S. and North Korea and moves us toward the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. The Territory of Guam is thankful to our President and his stance on peace through strength policy which elevated peace within the Asia Pacific region — this is something we truly are grateful for.”
Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer (R): “Thanks to the hard work of @POTUS and @SecPompeo we are one step closer to achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, which had seemed impossible to accomplish a little over a year ago. This is encouraging news for the Korean people and the world at large”
Maine Governor Paul LePage (R): “The #singaporesummit agreement has great potential to accomplish the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Businessmen do not fear tough negotiations. I’m especially thankful of the commitment to bring home Korean War POW/MIA remains.”
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (R): “President @realDonaldTrump is winning with North Korea. He will work to make the world safe again.”
Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph Torres (R): “Yesterday was an historic day for the United States and North Korea as President Trump has made more advancements towards securing a complete denuclearization of North Korea. I stand proudly by President Trump’s side in his efforts to establish a safer Pacific region.”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R): “The transformative leadership of President @realDonaldTrump has the Korean peninsula on the precipice of peace.”
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R): “Many congrats to my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump. When will the world realize what a phenomenal job you have done for America and the entire world?”
Foreign Officials and International Organizations
President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in: “The June 12 Sentosa Agreement will be recorded as a historic event that has helped break down the last remaining Cold War legacy on earth. It is a great victory achieved by both the United States and the two Koreas, and a huge step forward for people across the world who long for peace. Once again, I would like to pay my respect to President Trump who achieved a feat that no one else has ever delivered.”
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong: “Congratulations on the successful conclusion of an historic summit meeting between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The joint statement that you signed today with Chairman Kim Jong Un is a dramatic step forward. It is a crucial first move in the long journey towards lasting peace and stability on a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.”
United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson: “We welcome that President Trump and Kim Jong Un have held a constructive summit. This is an important step towards the stability of a region vital to global economic growth and home to thousands of British Nationals and important UK interests.”
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano: “I welcome today’s Joint Statement of President Trump of the United States and Chairman Kim of the DPRK at the Singapore Summit which includes the DPRK’s commitment towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: “NATO welcomes the historic summit between the President of the United States and the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. NATO strongly supports all efforts leading towards the eventual denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.”
Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric: “The Secretary-General welcomes the holding of the Summit between the leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States as an important milestone in the advancement of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.”
Advocacy Organizations, Media Commentary, and Policy Experts
Daily Beast Contributor Gordon Chang: “President Trump has created a momentum…. And that is really the result of skillful diplomacy on the part of the President.”
Fox News’ Sean Hannity: “This could be a transformative moment for the entire presidency.”
Fox News’ Steve Hilton: “This is the right thing to do in the interest of not just people in America, but across the world.”
Fox News’ Chris Wallace: “This is a very good and encouraging start.”
Fox News National Security Analyst Rebecca Grant: “The joint document…I think the substance is there. North Korea has reaffirmed that they will denuclearize.”
Time Columnist and Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer: “Trump has accomplished more on [North Korea] to date than any US President.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States National Commander Keith Harman: “We must have hope that this agreement will finally bring peace to the peninsula and help bring closure to thousands of families of missing American servicemen from the Korean War. The VFW salutes President Trump for bringing this issue to the table, and we thank the North Korean leader for agreeing to it. Now the hard work to bring the initiative to fruition begins.”
President Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un
Signed a Declaration of Friendship
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
REMARKS
Joint Statement of President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the Singapore Summit
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 12, 2018
Sentosa Island, Singapore
President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a first, historic summit in Singapore on June 12, 2018.
President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un conducted a comprehensive, in-depth, and sincere exchange of opinions on the issues related to the establishment of new U.S.–DPRK relations and the building of a lasting and robust peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to the DPRK, and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Convinced that the establishment of new U.S.–DPRK relations will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and of the world, and recognizing that mutual confidence building can promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un state the following:
The United States and the DPRK commit to establish new U.S.–DPRK relations in accordance with the desire of the peoples of the two countries for peace and prosperity.
The United States and the DPRK will join their efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
Reaffirming the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the DPRK commits to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified.
Having acknowledged that the U.S.–DPRK summit—the first in history—was an epochal event of great significance in overcoming decades of tensions and hostilities between the two countries and for the opening up of a new future, President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un commit to implement the stipulations in this joint statement fully and expeditiously. The United States and the DPRK commit to hold follow-on negotiations, led by the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and a relevant high-level DPRK official, at the earliest possible date, to implement the outcomes of the U.S.–DPRK summit.
President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have committed to cooperate for the development of new U.S.–DPRK relations and for the promotion of peace, prosperity, and security of the Korean Peninsula and of the world.
DONALD J. TRUMP
President of the United States of America
KIM JONG UN
Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
June 12, 2018
Sentosa Island
Singapore
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
REMARKS
Remarks by President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Before Expanded Bilateral Meeting
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 12, 2018
Capella Hotel, Singapore
9:54 A.M. SGT
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Mr. Chairman, it’s a great honor to be with you. And I know that we will have tremendous success together, and we will solve a big problem, a big dilemma that, until this point, has been unable to be solved. I know that, working together, we will get it taken care of. So it’s a great honor. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN KIM: (As interpreted.) (Inaudible.) We overcame all kinds of skepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good prelude for peace.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I believe, too.
CHAIRMAN KIM: (As interpreted.) (Inaudible.)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We will solve it. We will be successful and I look forward to working on it with you. It will be done.
Thank you very much. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you. Thank you very much.
END
9:56 SGT
President Trump Participates in a 1:1 Meeting with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un
;
-Briefing by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo
The White House
;
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
FOREIGN POLICY: Issued on June 11, 2018: President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The two leaders discussed recent developments ahead of today’s summit with North Korea and agreed to consult closely following the meeting.
-STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea: FOREIGN POLICY Issued on: June 11, 2018
PRESS BRIEFINGS: President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to discuss recent developments ahead of today’s summit with North Korea. The two leaders vowed to continue their close coordination following President Trump’s meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
If you cannot get Rodong Sinmun website, on the end of URL address just return again then, you will see the website.
Sources:White House, Youtube, The Straits Times, Arirang News, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, Bloomberg, ABC news , The Straits Times. ABC News (Australia) PBS News Hour, BBC, Fox News, Guardian News, CNBC, Channel News Asia Now This World, KCTV: Martyn
Williams
June 12, 2018
Rev June 14, 2018: Rev June 16, 2018
Catch4all.com Sandra Englund
June 11th, 2018 Briefing by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo
The White House
;
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement Regarding the Summit Between the United States and North Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 11, 2018
The discussions between the United States and North Korea are ongoing and have moved more quickly than expected.
President Donald J. Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. Following the initial greeting, President Trump and Chairman Kim will participate in a one-on-one meeting, with translators only, an expanded bilateral meeting, and a working lunch.
The United States delegation at tomorrow’s expanded bilateral meeting will include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chief of Staff John Kelly, and National Security Advisor John Bolton. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, Ambassador Sung Kim, and National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Matt Pottinger will join for the working lunch.
At the conclusion of the summit, President Trump will participate in a media availability before departing tomorrow at approximately 8 p.m. for the United States.
end main
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Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met US President Donald Trump and his delegation for a working lunch at the Istana in Singapore on Monday. During the meeting, the officials also celebrated Trump's birthday ahead of the summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!!
Sources:White House, Youtube, Star online, The Straits Times. June 11, 2018: Catch4all.com Sandra Englund
President Trump Delivers a Statement
REMARKS
Press Conference by President Trump After G7 Summit
Issued on: June 9, 2018
The Content
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
Charlevoix, Canada
10:13 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. I appreciate it. We’re getting ready to make a big trip. We’re just leaving, but we wanted to have a little bit of a conference just to announce what’s happened, how we’ve done. And I think it’s been very, very successful. We’ve concluded a really tremendously successful G7 and would like to provide you with an update.
And you know the gentlemen up are the legendary Larry Kudlow and the legendary John Bolton. And we had a good meeting, both on defense and environment and, frankly, on tariffs, which are what we’re here for.
First, I’d like to thank Prime Minister Trudeau for hosting this summit. It has worked out to be so wonderful. The people of Canada are wonderful, and it’s a great country, and a very beautiful country, I might add.
We tackled a variety of issues and opportunities facing our nations. At the top of the list was the issue of trade — a very important subject — because the United States has been taken advantage of for decades and decades, and we can’t do that anymore.
We had extremely productive discussions on the need to have fair and reciprocal — meaning, the same. People can’t charge us 270 percent and we charge them nothing. That doesn’t work anymore.
I made a lot of statements having to do with clarity. We want and expect other nations to provide fair market access to American exports, and that we will take whatever steps are necessary to protect American industry and workers from unfair foreign trading practices, of which, really, there are many. But we’re getting them straightened out, slowly but surely.
We also discussed the issue of uncontrolled migration and the threat that it poses to both national security and other groups and countries, and our citizens and quality of life. We’re committed to addressing the migration challenge by helping migrants to remain and prosper in their own home countries. A wide array of national security threats were addressed, including the threat of Iran. The G7 nations remain committed to controlling Iran’s nuclear ambitions — with or without them, those ambitions are going to be controlled — along with efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and those who spread this deadly ideology.
The nations of the G7 are bound together by shared values and beliefs. That came out loud and clear. Each of our nations is totally unique with our people and our own sovereign obligations. But we can coordinate together and achieve a common good — a good for all — good for all of our people, all of our nations.
We’re linked in the great effort to create a more just, peaceful, and prosperous world. And from the standpoint of trade and jobs and being fair to companies, we are really, I think, committed. I think they are starting to be committed to a much more fair trade situation for the United States, because it has been treated very, very unfairly.
And I don’t blame other leaders for that. I blame our past leaders. There was no reason that this should have happened. Last year, they lost eight-hundred — we as a nation, over the years — but the latest number is $817 billion on trade. That’s ridiculous and it’s unacceptable. And everybody was told that.
So I don’t blame them; I blame our leaders. In fact, I congratulate the leaders of other countries for so crazily being able to make these trade deals that were so good for their country and so bad for the United States. But those days are over.
In just a few minutes, I’ll be leaving for Singapore. I’ll be on a mission of peace, and we will carry in, really — in my heart, we’re going to be carrying the hearts of millions of people, people from all over the world. We have to get denuclearization. We have to get something going. We really think that North Korea will be a tremendous place in a very short period of time. And we appreciate everything that’s going on. We appreciate the working together with North Korea. They’re really working very well with us.
So I say — so far, so good. We’re going to have to see what happens. And we’re going to know very soon.
So I’ll be leaving — as soon as we’re finished with this conference, I’ll be leaving. And I very much look forward to it. I think it’s very important for North Korea and South Korea and Japan, and the world, and the United States. It’s a great thing. And we’ll see what happens.
Okay. Any questions? Yes, yes.
Q Mr. President, you are about to embark on what may be the most important meeting you’ve ever had in your life. What’s in your gut? Steel nerves or butterflies? Can you describe how you feel?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, there’s always everything. It’s really — you know, this has probably rarely been done. It’s unknown territory, in the truest sense. But I really feel confident. I feel that Kim Jong Un wants to do something great for his people, and he has that opportunity. And he won’t have that opportunity again. It’s never going to be there again.
So I really believe that he’s going to do something very positive for his people, for himself, his family. He’s got an opportunity, the likes of which I think almost — if you look into history — very few people have ever had. He can take that nation, with those great people, and truly make it great. So it’s a one-time — it’s a one-time shot. And I think it’s going to work out very well.
That’s why I feel positive, because it makes so much sense. And we will watch over, and we’ll protect, and we’ll do a lot of things. I can say that South Korea, Japan, China, many countries want to see it happen. And they’ll help. They’ll all help. So there’s a great — there’s really — this is a great time. This has not happened in all of the years that they’ve been separated by a very artificial boundary. This is a great opportunity for peace, and lasting peace, and prosperity.
Yes, ma’am.
Q Mr. President, did you raise bringing Russia back into the G7 during your meetings? And when have you last spoken to Vladimir Putin? Do you expect to meet him in Vienna this summer?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I have not spoken to Vladimir Putin in quite a while. It has been discussed. We didn’t do votes or anything, but it has been discussed. Some people like the idea of bringing Russia back in. This used to be the G8, not the G7. And something happened a while ago, where Russia is no longer in. I think it would be an asset to have Russia back in. I think it would be good for the world. I think it would be good for Russia. I think it would be good for the United States. I think it would be good for all of the countries of the current G7.
I think the G8 would be better. I think having Russia back in would be a positive thing. We’re looking for peace in the world. We’re not looking to play games.
Okay. Question? Yes.
Q Mr. President, you said that this was a positive meeting, but from the outside, it seemed quite contentious. Did you get any indication from your interlocutors that they were going to make any concessions to you? And I believe that you raised the idea of a tariff-free G7. Is that —
THE PRESIDENT: I did. Oh, I did. That’s the way it should be. No tariffs, no barriers. That’s the way it should be.
Q How did it go down?
THE PRESIDENT: And no subsidies. I even said no tariffs. In other words, let’s say Canada — where we have tremendous tariffs — the United States pays tremendous tariffs on dairy. As an example, 270 percent. Nobody knows that. We pay nothing. We don’t want to pay anything. Why should we pay?
We have to — ultimately, that’s what you want. You want a tariff-free, you want no barriers, and you want no subsidies, because you have some cases where countries are subsidizing industries, and that’s not fair. So you go tariff-free, you go barrier-free, you go subsidy-free. That’s the way you learned at the Wharton School of Finance. I mean, that would be the ultimate thing. Now, whether or not that works — but I did suggest it, and people were — I guess, they got to go back to the drawing and check it out, right?
But we can’t have — an example — where we’re paying — the United States is paying 270 percent. Just can’t have it. And when they send things into us, you don’t have that. I will say, it was not contentious. What was strong was the language that this cannot go on. But the relationships are very good, whether it be President Macron or with Justin. We had — Justin did a really good job. I think the relationships were outstanding.
But because of the fact that the United States leaders of the past didn’t do a good job on trade — and again, I’m not blaming countries; I’m blaming our people that represented our past. It’s got to change. It’s going to change. I mean, it’s not a question of “I hope it changes.” It’s going to change, a hundred percent. And tariffs are going to come way down, because people cannot continue to do that. We’re like the piggybank that everybody is robbing. And that ends.
In fact, Larry Kudlow is a great expert on this, and he’s a total free trader. But even Larry has seen the ravages of what they’ve done with their tariffs. Would you like to say something, Larry, very quickly? It might be interesting.
MR. KUDLOW: One interesting point, in terms of the G7 group meeting — I don’t know if they were surprised with President Trump’s free-trade proclamation, but they certainly listened to it and we had lengthy discussions about that. As the President said, reduce these barriers. In fact, go to zero. Zero tariffs. Zero non-tariff barriers. Zero subsidies.
And along the way, we’re going to have to clean up the international trading system about which there was virtual consensus of agreement on that. And that will be a target. And these are the best ways to promote economic growth, and we’ll all be better at it, and we’ll all be stronger at it.
So, I myself was particularly gratified to hear my President talk about free trade. Thank you, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
And it’s very unfair to our farmers. Our farmers are, essentially — whether it’s through a barrier, non-monetary barrier, or whether it’s through very high tariffs that make it impossible — and this is all over the world. This isn’t just G7. I mean, we have India, where some of the tariffs are 100 percent. A hundred percent. And we charge nothing. We can’t do that. And so we are talking to many countries. We’re talking to all countries. And it’s going to stop. Or we’ll stop trading with them. And that’s a very profitable answer, if we have to do it.
Yes, sir.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Another question on trade. You just said that you think that the tariffs are actually going to come down, but it does appear that these various countries are moving forward with retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. Did you get any concessions or any agreements with any of these countries not to move forward with those tariffs? And are you willing to not move forward with —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, if they retaliate, they’re making a mistake. Because, you see, we have a tremendous trade imbalance. So when we try and bring our piece up a little bit so that it’s not so bad, and then they go up — right — the difference is they do so much more business with us than we do with them that we can’t lose that. You understand. We can’t lose it.
And as an example, with one country we have $375 billion in trade deficits. We can’t lose. You could make the case that they lost years ago. But when you’re down $375 billion, you can’t lose. And we have to bring them up.
So there’s very bad spirit. When we have a big trade imbalance and we want to bring it up to balance — just balance — and they keep raising it so that you never catch, that’s not a good thing to do. And we have very, very strong measures that take care of that, because we do so much. The numbers are so astronomically against them in terms of anything, as per your question. We win that war a thousand times out of a thousand.
Yes. Yes, sir.
Q Are you close to a deal on NAFTA? Your Press Secretary said (inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: So two things can happen on NAFTA. We’ll either leave it the way it is, as a threesome deal with Canada and with the United States and Mexico, and change it very substantially — we’re talking about very big changes. Or we’re going to make a deal directly with Canada and directly with Mexico. Both of those things could happen.
If a deal isn’t made, that would be a very bad thing for Canada and it would be a very bad thing for Mexico. For the United States, frankly, it would be a good thing. But I’m not looking to do that. I’m not looking to play that game.
So we’re either going to have NAFTA in a better negotiated form, or we’re going to have two deals.
Q And does it have to have a sunset clause in it?
THE PRESIDENT: It will have a sunset. You have the two sunsets. I mean, you have an ISDS provision and a sunset provision. They’ve been very heavily negotiated. You have two sunsets, two concepts of sunset. We’re pretty close on the sunset provision. Okay?
Q Like five years or —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we have one that’s five years; you know it very well. You’ve studied this very well. Congratulations. That’s right. You have one group that likes to have five years, and then a renegotiation at the end of five years. And you have another group that wants longer because of the investments. But we’re pretty close.
Yes, sir.
Q Mr. President, David Herszenhorn with Politico Europe. Just to come back to Russia for a second. Something that happened that got them kicked out of the G8 was the invasion and annexation of Crimea. Do you think that Crimea should be recognized as Russian (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, you have to ask President Obama, because he was the one that let Crimea get away. That was during his administration. And he was the one that let Russia go and spend a lot of money on Crimea, because they’ve spent a lot of money on rebuilding it. I guess they have their submarine port there and such. But Crimea was let go during the Obama administration. And, you know, Obama can say all he wants, but he allowed Russia to take Crimea. I may have had a much different attitude. So you’d really have to ask that question to President Obama — you know, why did he do that; why did he do that. But with that being said, it’s been done a long time.
Q But you would allow Russia back into the G8 with Crimea still (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: I would rather see Russia in the G8 as opposed to the G7. I would say that the G8 is a more meaningful group than the G7, absolutely.
Yes. Yes, ma’am.
Q How persuasive did you find the Europeans and Canadians when they made the case to you that you shouldn’t use national security as a justification for tariffs?
THE PRESIDENT: They virtually didn’t even make that case. I mean, my case is the fact that it is national security; it’s our balance sheet; it’s our strength. It’s absolutely national security. And, you know, if you look at our — just take a look at our balance sheet. We’re going to have a very strong balance sheet very soon because of what we’re doing.
We have the strongest economy that we’ve ever had in the United States — in the history of the United States. We have the best unemployment numbers. Black unemployment, the lowest in history. Hispanic unemployment, the lowest in history. I don’t mean the lowest in the last 10 years or 20 years. The lowest in the history of this country. Black unemployment is doing the best it’s ever done. Hispanic doing the best. Women are now up to 21 years. Soon it’s going to be the best ever in its history — in the country’s history.
We have to have deals that are fair, and we have to have deals that are economic. Otherwise, that does, in fact, affect our military. Okay?
Q How do you make that case for autos?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, it’s very easy. It’s economic. It’s the balance sheet. To have a great military, you need a great balance sheet.
Yes, sir. Go ahead.
Q As you were heading into these G7 talks, there was a sense that America’s closest allies were frustrated with you and angry with you, and that you were angry with them and that you were leaving here early to go meet for more friendlier talks with Kim Jong Un in Singapore. And I’m wondering if you —
THE PRESIDENT: It’s well put, I think.
Q — if you view it the same way. And do you view the U.S. alliance system shifting under your presidency, away —
THE PRESIDENT: Who are you with, out of curiosity?
Q CNN.
THE PRESIDENT: I figured. Fake News CNN. The worst. But I could tell by the question. I had no idea you were CNN. After the question, I was just curious as to who you were with. You were CNN.
I would say that the level of relationship is a 10. We have a great relationship. Angela and Emmanuel and Justin. I would say the relationship is a 10. And I don’t blame them. I blame — as I said, I blame our past leaders for allowing this to happen. There was no reason this should happen. There’s no reason that we should have big trade deficits with virtually every country in the world. I’m going long beyond the G7. There’s no reason for this. It’s the fault of the people that preceded me. And I’m not just saying President Obama. I’m going back a long way. You can go back 50 years, frankly. It just got worse and worse and worse.
You know, we used to be a nation that was unbelievably cash-flow-oriented. Had no debt of any consequence, and that built the highway system. We built the interstate system out of — virtually out of cash flow. And it was a lot different.
No, we have a very good relationship, and I don’t blame these people, but I will blame them if they don’t act smart and do what they have to do — because they have no choice. I’ll be honest with you, they have no choice.
They’re either going to make the trades fair, because our farmers have been hurt. You look at our farmers. For 15 years, the graph is going just like this — down. Our farmers have been hurt, our workers have been hurt. Our companies have moved out and moved to Mexico and other countries, including Canada.
Now, we are going to fix that situation. And if it’s not fixed, we’re not going to deal with these countries. But the relationship that I’ve had is great. So you can tell that to your fake friends at CNN.
The relationship that I’ve had with the people, the leaders of these countries, has been — I would really, rate it on a scale of 0 to 10, I would rate it a 10. That doesn’t mean I agree with what they’re doing. And they know very well that I don’t. So we’re negotiating very hard, tariffs and barriers.
As an example, the European Union is brutal to the United States. They don’t — and they understand that. They know it. When I’m telling them, they’re smiling at me. You know, it’s like the gig is up. It’s like the gig is up. They’re not trying to — there’s nothing they can say. They can’t believe they got away with it. Canada can’t believe it got away with it. Mexico — we have $100 billion trade deficit with Mexico and that doesn’t include all the drugs that are pouring in because we have no wall. But we are. We started building the wall, as you know. $1.6 billion — and we’re going to keep that going.
But a lot of these countries actually smile at me when I’m talking. And the smile is — we couldn’t believe we got away with it. That’s the smile. So it’s going to change. It’s going to change. They have no choice. If it’s not going to change, we’re not going to trade with them.
Okay, how about a couple of more? Go ahead in the back.
Q Thanks, Mr. President. Eliana Johnson with Politico.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Hi.
Q Going into these talks with Kim Jong Un, do you have a clear objective of what you want to get out of them?
THE PRESIDENT: I have a clear objective. But I have to say, Eliana, that it’s going to be something that will always be spur of the moment. You don’t know. You know, this has not been done before at this level. This is a leader who really is an unknown personality. People don’t know much about him. I think that he’s going to surprise, on the upside, very much on the upside. We’ll see. But never been done. Never been tested. Many people — world leaders — I’m talking about world leaders that have been right next to him have never met him.
So we’re going in with a very positive spirit. I think very well prepared. I think — and, by the way, we have worked very well with their people. They have many people right now in Shanghai; our people have been — in Singapore. Our people have been working very, very well with the representatives of North Korea.
So we’re going in with a very positive attitude, and I think we’re going to come out fine. But I’ve said it many times: Who knows? Who knows? May not. May not work out. It’s a good chance it won’t work out. There’s probably an even better chance that it will take a period of time. It will be a process.
Q Is there a particular outcome that you would look for from this initial talk to judge whether you think things are going well?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the minimum would be relationship. You’d start at least a dialogue. Because, you know, as a deal person, I’ve done very well with deals. What you want to do is start that. Now, I’d like to accomplish more than that. But at a minimum, I do believe, at least we’ll have met each other. We will have seen each other. Hopefully we will have liked each other and we’ll start that process.
So I would say that would be the minimal. And the maximum, I think you know the answer to that. But I think that will take a little bit of time.
Okay? Yeah.
Q How long do you think that it will take you to figure out whether he’s serious about (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: That’s a good question. How long will it take? I think within the first minute I’ll know.
Q How?
THE PRESIDENT: Just my touch, my feel. That’s what I do. How long will it take to figure out whether or not they’re serious? I said maybe in the first minute. You know, the way — they say that you know if you’re going to like somebody in the first five seconds. You ever hear that one? Well, I think that very quickly I’ll know whether or not something good is going to happen.
I also think I’ll know whether or not it will happen fast. It may not. But I think I’ll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen. And if I think it won’t happen, I’m not going to waste my time. I don’t want to waste his time.
Yes, ma’am.
Q Are you concerned about all that just like giving Kim the meeting, that he’s getting a win as a (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no, no. That’s only — only the fake news says that. You know, this — look, we just three hostages back. We paid nothing. They came back. They’re happily in ensconced in their homes with their families. They’re the happiest people in the world right now.
We have gotten — you know, we haven’t done anything. Everyone said — you know, the haters, they say, “Oh, you’re giving him a meeting.” Give me a break, okay? There’s nothing. I think if I didn’t do this, it would be — and it’s never been done before, you know. It’s never been done before. And obviously, what has been done before hasn’t worked.
And this is something — I can’t stress this strong enough. You know, I talked about tariffs that previous people — and I’m not looking to criticize people that were preceding me — but on tariffs, it should have never happened.
Well, the same thing on North Korea. We shouldn’t be in this position. We shouldn’t be in this position on tariffs. We were hundreds of billions of dollars down to other countries that, frankly, were never even negotiated with. They never even got spoken to.
I asked a top person in China, how did it get so bad? He looked at me, he said, “Nobody ever talked to us.” They were missing in action, our leaders.
Well, a very similar thing, if you think about it, took place with North Korea. This should not be done now. This should have been done 5 years ago, and 10 years ago, and 25 years ago. It shouldn’t be done now.
Q Have you spoken to Kim at all in the last —
THE PRESIDENT: I can’t comment on that.
Okay, one more question.
Q A follow-up on North Korea. Will you raise of the gulags with Kim Jong Un and —
THE PRESIDENT: We’re going to raise every issue.
Q — and the (inaudible) and kidnappings?
THE PRESIDENT: Every issue is going to be raised.
Q Mr. President, we’re sitting here, and kind of you’ve attacked the U.S. press back home, but you’ve also done it on foreign soil. I guess I want — I’d like to ask you why you do that. Do you think —
THE PRESIDENT: Because the U.S. press is very dishonest, much of it. Not all of it. Oh, I have some folks in your profession that are with the U.S., in the U.S. — citizens, proud citizens; they’re reporters. These are some of the most outstanding people I know. But there are many people in the press that are unbelievably dishonest. They don’t cover stories the way they’re supposed to be. They don’t even report them, in many cases, if they’re positive.
So there’s tremendous — you know, I came up with the term, “fake news.” It’s a lot of fake news. But at the same time, I have great respect for many people in the press.
Thank you all very much. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you.
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Abe of Japan in Joint Press Conference
FOREIGN POLICY
The Content
Issued on: June 7, 2018
Rose Garden
2:22 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. Today I’m greatly honored to welcome my good friend, Prime Minister Abe of Japan, to the White House. Over the past 16 months, the Prime Minister and I have worked closely together to address common challenges, of which there are many; seize opportunities; and advance the interests of our nations. Today, we have had another deeply productive and very valuable discussion.
We have developed not only a strong working relationship over the last year and a half, specifically 503 days, but a great personal friendship. I was honored by the tremendous hospitality the Prime Minister showed me when the American delegation went to Japan last year. It was really something very special. And we had the Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe as our guest at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
The steadfast alliance between Japan and the United States is an enduring force of peace and stability in the Pacific region and around the world. From the beginning of my administration, the Prime Minister and I have been working to expand our cooperation in a range of areas, including defense and commerce, which is what we discussed today.
As I prepare to meet next week with Kim Jong Un — and I want to bring up the fact that the Prime Minister Abe and, also, President Moon of South Korea were extremely helpful, cooperative, and they’d like to see something happen. It would be great for North Korea, South Korea. It would be great for Japan, the United States, and the world. Our partnership has been invaluable in reaching this important moment, and we will continue to be in very close communication in the weeks ahead, including the issue of Japanese abductees, which I know is of great personal importance to Prime Minister Abe.
I hope the upcoming meeting in Singapore represents the beginning of a bright new future for North Korea and indeed a bright new future for the world. The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula would usher in a new era of prosperity, security, and peace for all Koreans — for North and South — and for people everywhere.
Prime Minister Abe and I are also working to improve the trading relationship between the United States and Japan — something we have to do. The United States seeks a bilateral deal with Japan that is based on the principle of fairness and reciprocity. We’re working hard to reduce our trade imbalance, which is very substantial, remove barriers to U.S. exports, and to achieve a fair and mutually beneficial economic partnership. And we’re on our way.
The Prime Minister was telling us just moments ago that they’re buying billions and billions of dollars of additional products of all kinds — military jets, airliners from Boeing, lots of farm products. We’re going to be doing a lot more business with Japan, which is what everybody wants to see.
There’s never been a better time to invest in the United States. Thanks to our massive tax cuts, historic deregulation,
a strong trade policy, which has just really begun — because I will tell you over the years it has been an extraordinarily weak trade policy — the opening of American energy, and a return to the rule of law, our economy is absolutely booming. Best it’s ever been. Unemployment is at the lowest level in nearly half a century. And for African American and Hispanic American workers, unemployment has reached its lowest level ever recorded.
We welcome and encourage Japanese investors to open new plants and factories in the United States. And that will happen. The Prime Minister has told me that will happen. We want new auto plants going into Michigan and Pennsylvania and Ohio — and many of our states that have them and some that don’t. And they’ll be doing that.
Japan has also remained a critical partner in our efforts to promote a free and open Pacific region where sovereign nations uphold the rule of law, respect the rights of their neighbors, and honor the interests of their people. These core principles allow diverse nations to thrive and prosper altogether in one beautiful, peaceful atmosphere. We’re all happy about it. It’s what’s happening now.
Prime Minister Abe, it is a true privilege to work with you. You’ve become my great friend. I want to thank you for being here at the White House for our meetings today. So productive. I’m also very proud to say that the bonds between our nations are stronger than ever before. And I know that, together, we can unlock incredible new opportunities, achieve remarkable new prosperity, and ensure the safety and security of our citizens for a very, very long time to come. And that’s what we intend to do.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Mr. President, I am so grateful to you for this meeting that you offered with great hospitality at such busy time as G7 Summit and U.S.-North Korea summit meetings are upcoming. I also would like to express my appreciation to the people of the United States for always warmly welcoming us as your ally.
In five days, U.S.-North Korea summit is to take place. First of all, I would like to pay my deep respect to the outstanding leadership of President Trump as he made this decision that no past Presidents were ever able to accomplish.
In the last 18 months, we really spent many hours to discuss this issue. We shall never repeat the past mistakes. While this thought is completely shared between us, we are able to witness an historic talk which will take place shortly.
Today, with President Trump, our discussion was focused on the issue of North Korea. What should we do as we approach the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit, as well as for the peace and stability of Northeast Asia after the summit? On this topic, we took a good amount of time and carried out in-depth and candid exchange of views. I’m not able to talk about the details of what we discussed, but one thing I can say is that Japan and the United States are always together. I strongly hope that this historic summit in Singapore be a resounding success.
There is a beautiful port town, Niigata, facing the Sea of Japan. A mere 13-year-old girl living there was abducted by North Korea. Forty-five years have passed since then, during which time family members single-mindedly prayed for her return and kept on waiting. The parents became old. Remaining time is slipping away. It is the long-held desire of the Japanese people to have her and all of the abductees come home so that the parents, while they are healthy, can embrace the girl and other abductees again in their arms.
Of course, I wish to directly face North Korea and talk with them so that abduction problem be resolved quickly. To this end, I am determined to take all possible means.
On behalf of the citizens of Japan, I would like to thank President Trump and the people of the United States for their understanding and support toward the resolution of the abduction issue.
Japan will continue to ask for complete implementation of the successive United Nations Security Council resolutions. There is no change at all for Japan’s policy to seek comprehensive solution of the abduction, nuclear and missile programs, and to realize real peace in the Northeast Asia. This is what Japan strongly hopes for.
Now, a major step forward is about to be taken. Donald, President Trump, you are about to make a new history. Not only Japan, but the whole international community is strongly looking forward for the United States-North Korea summit to open doors toward peace and stability of the Northeast Asia.
North Korea abounds with rich natural resources. North Korea has a diligent workforce. If North Korea is willing to take steps toward the right direction, North Korea can see a bright future ahead for itself. Japan, based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, is prepared to settle the unfortunate past, to normalize our diplomatic relations, and to provide economic cooperation. Japan wishes to play the role as much as possible. Donald, I value highly your strong commitment to world peace and prosperity.
In closing, I wish to add that Japan stands ready to make every effort to assist you for the success of U.S.-North Korea summit. Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Appreciate it. So we’ll take a few questions, if we can start.
John Roberts, go ahead.
Q Mr. President, on the subject — and I have a question for the Prime Minister as well. On the subject of North Korea, how far are you willing to go, in terms of economic security, political guarantees with Kim? Are you willing to move down the road toward normalizing relationships, normalizing relations with North Korea, as the Prime Minister suggested he was willing to at some point?
You teased us, as well, out on the South Lawn here last week. You said that you might sign a peace deal to end the war. Where are you with that? And what was in the letter?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the letter was just a greeting. It was really very nice. Perhaps I can get approval to put it out. It was really a very warm letter, a very nice letter. I appreciated it very much. And nothing other than: We look forward to seeing you, and we look forward to the summit, and hopefully some wonderful things will work out.
So it was really very warm, very nice. We appreciated it.
I think, John, that we are going to — we’re going to have a great success. I don’t think it will be in one meeting. I think it will take longer than that. This has been going on for many, many decades.
This is something that should have been solved by other Presidents, as I’ve said often before, long before this point. They waited until the last second. And they shouldn’t have waited. This should have been solved by many others. I’m not just saying President Obama; I’m saying other Presidents. A long time ago, this could have been solved in a lot easier manner and a lot less dangerous manner. But it wasn’t. So I’ll solve it, and we’ll get it done.
As far as the Prime Minister is concerned, we will agree and we have agreed that we’re going to be helping — if the deal is done, we’re going to be helping North Korea. We’re going to be working with China. We’re going to be working with South Korea.
President Xi of China has been terrific. The border has been certainly more closed than ever before. I’d like them to close it a little bit more, but it’s been more closed than ever before. China has never worked with us this way. And, you know, I give him a lot of credit because, as you know, we’re in a dispute as to the imbalance of trade. It’s a massive imbalance in China’s favor. It’s been that way for many decades, and it should have also been handled by previous Presidents. But it wasn’t, so we’ll handle that too.
But I give President Xi tremendous credit, and I give President Moon tremendous credit. He really would like to see something happen. They’ve been living with the threat of war from their beginning, and it doesn’t make sense. And I really believe that Kim Jong Un wants to do something. I think he wants to see something incredible happen for the people of North Korea.
So we have a lot of great opportunities right now. Shouldn’t have waited to this point, but we have a lot of great opportunity.
John, please.
Q Again, Mr. President, would you be willing to go so far as to normalize relations with North Korea? And what about the idea of signing some sort of an agreement on the 12th to end the war?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, it could be. We could sign an agreement. As you know, that would be a first step. It’s what happens after the agreement that really is the big point.
But, yes, we could absolutely sign an agreement. We’re looking at it. We’re talking about it with them. We’re talking about it with a lot of other people. But that could happen. But that’s really the beginning. Sounds a little bit strange, but that’s probably the easy part; the hard part remains after that.
Q And normalizing relations?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Normalizing relations is something that I would expect to do, I would hope to do, when everything is complete. We would certainly hope to do that.
I know that Prime Minister Abe and President Moon have told me, very strongly, that they are going to go and they will help them economically, tremendously. Japan has a tremendous stake and so do they. We, on the other hand, are very far away. We’re very, very far away.
But Japan will be helping. I believe China will be helping economically, also. And I think China wants to see something very good happen, very positive happen. And certainly, South Korea has already stated their intentions. They will be very helpful.
So there are lot of good factors lined up for North Korea. A lot of tremendous factors that give it tremendous potential. It has tremendous potential because the people are great. And we would certainly like to see normalization, yes.
Q And, Prime Minister Abe, if I could address you as well. We know how important an issue the abductees is for you. President Trump said at Mar-a-Lago during your last meeting that it’s a very important issue for him as well. We know about the medium-range ballistic missiles. Did you get an assurance from President Trump that he would address both of those in his first meeting with Kim?
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Today, we had long hours of discussion with President Trump. Good amount of discussion. On the issue of abduction, I was able to have a detailed discussion, and I think President Trump fully understands the situation. He supports the position of Japan.
Last year, President Trump visited Japan. On that occasion, he met with the families of abductees. I told you about the 13-year-old girl abducted. The mother of this girl met with President Trump, and very seriously he intently listened to the voices and views of the family members. So President Trump, amongst the world leaders, I think he is one of the leaders who understands the issue the most — greatest.
So at the upcoming summit, the importance of abduction would be explained to Mr. Kim Jong Un.
What about the medium-range missiles? As I said earlier on in my statement, the Security Council’s resolution must be implemented. All weapons of mass destruction and all ballistic missiles — these are the words used in the resolution of the Security Council. In other words, the Security Council resolution must be completely implemented. On this point, between Japan and U.S. and international community share the same view. I am convinced about it. Thank you.
Mr. Katsumi of TBS, please. Next question, please.
Q (As interpreted.) Thank you. My name is Yusa from TBS Television. I have question for both President Trump, as well as Prime Minister Abe. You have not used the language of applying the largest pressure on North Korea, but are you continuing with a deal with the sanction? And the denuclearization, you will be asking for that? And what is the deadline for the denuclearization?
And my question to Prime Minister is how to apply pressure to North Korea and the tone of the language. Are you in full agreement, complete agreement with the United States?
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) President Trump has stated that we are implementing sanctions, and those sanctions are very strong sanctions. He also stated that until North Korea takes the action, the sanctions will not be lifted. And Japan is in full agreement and Japan’s position is perfectly in alignment with the United States.
And in our summit meeting this time, we had in-depth discussion with President Trump as to how we should respond to the North Korea and ask for the future policy on North Korea.
Inclusive of the U.S.-North Korean summit meeting, we have detailed coordination aligning our positions. As I have already mentioned, Japan and the United States are always together. Japan and United States will be in full alignment to seek success for the historic U.S.-North Korea summit meeting in Singapore.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yes. Thank you very much. Maximum pressure is absolutely in effect. We don’t use the term anymore because we’re going into a friendly negotiation. Perhaps after that negotiation I will be using it again. You’ll know how well we do in the negotiation. If you hear me saying we’re going to use “maximum pressure,” you’ll know the negotiation did not do well, frankly. There’s no reason to say it.
We, in the meantime, haven’t removed any sanctions. We have a list of over 300 massive, in some cases, sanctions to put on North Korea. And I’ve decided to hold that until we can make a deal, because I really believe there’s a potential to make a deal. And I just don’t think it’s nice going in under those circumstances.
But, yes, the campaign hasn’t changed. China has continued to hold the border. We, again, would like them to do more in that sense. But they’ve been really good, and the President has been very good. But maximum sanction is there. We are leaving all of the existing sanctions on. We have many, many sanctions to go, but I don’t want to use them unless it’s necessary. And I don’t think it will be necessary, but we will soon know. Okay? Thank you.
Saagar Enjeti. Where’s Saagar? Daily Caller.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. I have a question for the Prime Minister as well. Mr. President, under what — you’ve said repeatedly that you are willing to walk away from the negotiations if they don’t do well. Under what exact conditions would you be walking away from that summit? And if the summit does go well, will you be inviting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the United States?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the answer is yes to the second part of your question. But certainly if it goes well. And I think it would be well received. I think he would look at it very favorably. So I think that could happen.
All I can say is I am totally prepared to walk away. I did it once before. You have to be able to walk away. If you’re not going to be able to walk away — we didn’t walk away from the horrible Iran deal that was signed. And if you look at what’s happened since I signed that deal, Iran — and in all fairness, I say it with great respect for the people of Iran — but Iran is acting a lot differently. They’re no longer looking so much to the Mediterranean. They’re no longer looking so much to what’s going on in Syria, what’s going on in Yemen and lots of other places. They’re a much different country over the last three months.
And again, I say that with hope that maybe something can happen. But when you mention sanctions, we’re putting sanctions on Iran, the likes of which nobody has ever seen before, including, frankly, North Korea. That would have been the next phase, if we did it or find it necessary to do.
But nuclear to me is always first. And we’re going to be fine, with respect to Iran. But we also, Saagar, got something out of it that’s very important. A lot of the people that write about this, some of whom I have respect for, but they haven’t picked it up: Iran is not the same country that it was a few months ago. They’re a much, much different group of leaders. And I hope at some point they’ll come to us and we’ll sit down, and we’ll make a deal that’s good for them, and good for us, and good for everybody. And it will be great for Iran. I expect it to be — I want it to be great for Iran.
But if they would have walked — our side — from some of the horrible provisions that you know as well as I do, and probably everybody sitting here knows, we could have had a great deal. Nothing wrong with a deal, but there’s something wrong with that deal. We had a great opportunity to make a phenomenal deal.
So I am totally prepared to walk. It could happen. Maybe it won’t be necessary. I hope it won’t be necessary to walk because I really believe that Kim Jong Un wants to do something that is going to be great for his people and also great for his family and great for himself.
Okay? Thank you very much.
Q Sir, if you do invite him to the White House — or to the United States, would it be here at the White House or at Mar-a-Lago?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Maybe we’ll start with the White House. What do you think? (Laughter.)
Q Mr. Prime Minister, you are the only major world leader not to have a sit-down or a planned sit-down with Kim Jong Un. You hinted in your address today that you would be willing to do so on the matter of abductees. Do you have any plans currently to do so? And would it be focused solely on abductees, or would you be willing to have a separate denuclearization discussion with Kim Jong Un directly without the United States? Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Of course, on the issue of abduction, we have to resolve this problem. With Abe administration, this is of the highest priority. And if anything contributes to that resolution, if the talk leads to the solution of the problem between U.S. and North Korea or between Japan and North Korea, the meetings we wish to have on the issue of abduction in the final analysis Chairman Kim Jong Un and me, between Japan and North Korea, problem has to be solved. Of course, for Japan, missile issue and nuclear issue very important.
Nuclear issue, missile issue, regarding these issues, at the U.S. and North Korea summit meeting — first and foremost, I’m hopeful for the progress. And then, on the issue of abduction, we will liaise — we will collaborate with the U.S. and international community. And Japan, ourselves, must talk directly with North Korea in the final analysis. I am determined about that.
Mr. Hayashi?
Q (As interpreted.) Thank you, Prime Minister Abe. I have question to Prime Minister as well as President Trump. Starting with Prime Minister, you have already mentioned to a certain degree on the abduction issue. In order to hold Japan-North Korea summit, the premise is that you need to obtain results for the abduction issue. What kind of concrete pathway are you envisaging to hold the summit meeting?
In your meeting with President Trump today, have you asked President Trump to raise the question of abduction at the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting in Singapore?
Next is my question to President Trump. You have — Kim Jong Un has maintained this position that the abduction issue is something that already had been resolved. So what kind of explanation has been given to the United States on the abduction issue in the North Korea to U.S. via consultations? And how should we approach North Korea in order to seek solution for the abduction? And what did you convey to Prime Minister Abe today in this regard?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: You know, I can speak first because I will tell you, on the Prime Minister’s behalf, that he very much talked about abduction. It was preeminent in our conversations. He talked about it long and hard and passionately. And I will follow his wishes, and we will be discussion that with North Korea, absolutely. Absolutely.
Prime Minister, go ahead.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Now, at our Japan-U.S. meeting we had in Mar-a-Lago in February, today, once again, as President Trump has mentioned already, I have explained on the abduction issue once again and I have conveyed to him the earnest wish of the families of the abductees. And President Trump once again has stated that the abduction issue will be raised at the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit.
Now, at the U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, as to the concrete matters to be discussed, I would like to refrain from mentioning this at this juncture. But in any case, Japan’s (inaudible) position were explained at length, and President Trump has given his understanding, and he has promised that the issue will be brought up at the summit meeting in Singapore. And I am delighted of this.
President Trump and the international community — I would like to closely work with President Trump as well as the international community to seek solution to the issue. In solving the abduction issue, Japan itself needs to have direct consultation with North Korea. I have not changed my resolve in doing so.
And under this decision and resolve, what will be conducive to solve the abduction issue — of course, I will have to think about the summit meeting for Japan-North Korea summit meeting. If we are to have the summit meeting, the nuclear, the missile, and what is more important, the abduction issue — the solution to all these issues must be resolved. And I hope that we will be able to realize a summit meeting which would lead to solution of the problems.
But first and foremost, we need to seek advancement for the abduction, nuclear, and missile programs. Japan and U.S. should closely cooperate with each other so that we will be able to see great success for the historic U.S.-North Korea summit meeting. And Japan would like to give our all-out efforts in support.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I’d like to just close by paying my highest respect and regards and love, frankly — I’ve gotten to know them very well — to the Warmbier family, the incredible family of Otto Warmbier, who was a brilliant, beautiful, terrific young man. And he has not died in vain, I can tell you that. He has not died in vain. So to the Warmbier family, our love and our respect.
Also, I’d like to say that we were tremendously successful in getting our three hostages back. And I’m very thankful to the cooperation that we received from North Korea. And the three United States citizens are now very happily ensconced in their homes with their families. They’re very happy. They didn’t think this was going to happen. And frankly, it would never have happened, but it has.
So I just want to wish them well also. They had a tough journey, but I really respect the fact that we were able to work with the North Korean folks and get them out. They’re very, very well ingrained already. They’re back into — they were telling me they’re now going to movies and they’re going out to dinner, and they’re back. They’re back in our country, and it’s a terrific thing.
I believe we’re going to have a terrific success or a modified success. But in one form or another, if it all goes — and things can happen between now and then — but I know many of you are going. And I look forward to seeing you there. I look forward to traveling with you. It’s a long way. But I really believe that we have the potential to do something incredible for the world. And it’s my honor to be involved.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
END
2:54 P.M. EDT
PRESS BRIEFINGS
Press Briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Issued on: June 7, 2018
The Content
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
3:49 P.M. EDT
SANDERS: Good afternoon. Thanks for being patient with us. Obviously, there’s a great deal of interest on the upcoming summit with the North Koreans. We have Secretary Pompeo here, who will make some brief opening remarks and then take questions on that topic. As you know, the President has already done a press conference today, so we’ll keep questions limited to that. And we’ll be around the rest of the day to answer other news of the day.
Thanks. With that, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Thanks, Sarah.
Q Sarah, are you going to take questions after (inaudible)?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes, I’m going to take a couple questions. (Laughter.) A couple. Good afternoon. It’s great to be joining you all here today. Early in his presidency, President Trump made a commitment to address the threat of North Korea, which has been a threat to our nation for far too long.
President Trump has been, and continues to be, committed to ridding the United States and the world of threats posed by North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. These programs threaten our homeland, our allies and partners, and the broader non-proliferation regime. North Korea’s past activities also make clear that it is proliferation to other actors that creates a risk, in addition to the primary risks. It has supporting infrastructure that is also of concern.
In early 2017, the Trump administration decided on a policy we have referred to as the “maximum pressure campaign.” The campaign enacted the strongest economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea in history. The goal was to set the conditions for the DPRK to make a strategic decision to denuclearize as the best means by which it will achieve its own security.
American leadership rallied the international community to send a strong message to Chairman Kim Jong Un and the world that we would not stand for the DPRK’s illegal weapons programs. The President’s bold decision to meet with Chairman Kim Jong Un grew from this incredibly strong and targeted campaign. The President’s policy directly led to the historic summit that will take place on June 12th in Singapore.
Back on March 8th, Chairman Kim Jong Un expressed his desire to meet with President Trump as soon as possible. And then on May 9th, I met with Chairman Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang and explained America’s expectations for denuclearization.
At that time, we also secured the release of three Americans: Kim Dong-chul, Tony Kim, and Kim Hak-song. We view this as a sign of goodwill from Chairman Kim Jong Un.
The United States and North Korea have been holding direct talks in preparation for a summit, and North Korea has confirmed to us its willingness to denuclearize. A comprehensive whole-of-government effort in support of President Trump’s upcoming summit is under way. White House- and State Department-led advance teams are finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place in Singapore until the summit begins. The President continues to follow every development closely, and is getting daily briefings from his national security team.
The fact that our two leaders are coming to the table shows that the two sides are very serious. The diplomatic model we’ve used to date is different from past efforts. Our efforts give us hope that we can find real success where past efforts have fallen short.
President Trump is hopeful, but he’s also going into the summit with his eyes wide open. We’ve seen how many inadequate agreements have been struck in the past. And you can be sure that President Trump will not stand for a bad deal. The United States has been clear, time and time again, that complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the only outcome that we will find acceptable.
The President recognizes that North Korea has great potential, and he looks forward to a day when sanctions on the DPRK can begin to be removed. However, that cannot happen until the DPRK completely and verifiably eliminates its weapons of mass destruction programs.
President Trump and Chairman Kim will certainly also discuss security assurances for the DPRK, establishing a peace regime, and improving relations between our two countries. Until we achieve our goals, the measures that the world, alongside the United States, has put on the regime will remain. In the event diplomacy does not move in the right direction, these measures will increase. Throughout the entire process, the United States has been unified with Japan and South Korea in response to the threats from North Korea.
I will be traveling with my — excuse me, I will be traveling to meet with my Japanese and South Korean counterparts after the summit to continue to coordinate with them. I will also stop in Beijing following the Singapore summit. I’ll provide them with an update and underscore the importance of fully implementing all sanctions that are imposed on North Korea.
President Trump recognizes North Korea’s desire for security and is prepared to ensure a DPRK free of its weapons of mass destruction is also a secure North Korea.
President Trump has made it clear that if Kim Jong Un denuclearizes, there is a brighter path for North Korea and its people. We envision a strong, connected, secure, and prosperous North Korea that is integrated into the community of nations. We think that the people of the United States and North Korea can create a future defined by friendship and collaboration, and not by mistrust and fear.
We believe that Chairman Kim Jong Un shares this positive vision for the future, and we are committed to finding a path forward. And we assume and hope that that belief is sincere.
We’re looking forward to being in Singapore in just a few days.
SANDERS: As a reminder, we’ll take just a few questions before the Secretary has to depart.
Roberta.
Q Thank you. What progress have you made in narrowing the gap in your understanding of denuclearization and North Korea’s definition of denuclearization? Has there been progress in bringing that definition closer together?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes.
Q Can you describe that a little bit?
SECRETARY POMPEO: No.
(Laughter.)
SANDERS: That was quick. Jon Decker.
Q Thank you, Sarah. Thank you, Secretary Pompeo. As you mentioned in your remarks, North Korea, in the past, has reneged on prior agreements that it’s made with the U.S. government. So I have two questions for you. The first question has to do with your experience meeting with Kim Jong Un. Do you trust him? And my second question has to do with the negotiations that are upcoming with North Korea. Who, in your opinion, has the upper hand in the negotiations, and why?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So with respect to your first question, I’ve had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim Jong Un twice now. I can tell you he is very capable of articulating the things that he is prepared to do, present clearly the challenges that we all have to overcome. It’s why the two leaders are meeting. It’s the opportunity to lay those out clearly between the two leaders so that we can see if we can find a path forward together that achieves the outcomes that both countries want.
And your second question?
Q Who has the upper hand in the negotiations?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. We don’t think about it in terms of who has the upper hand. We know this has been a long, intractable challenge. It’s gone on for decades. The President has said repeatedly: Previous administrations weren’t prepared to do what we’ve done already. It’s not about who has the upper hand. It’s about trying to find a way where the two sides can come to an understanding, where we can get concrete steps, not just words, that resolve this challenge.
Pamela.
Q Mr. Secretary, first of all, the President said that he doesn’t believe he needs to prepare very much ahead of this summit. Do you think that’s a prudent approach?
And also, I want to get your reaction to Rudy Giuliani’s comments that “Kim Jong Un got back on his hands and knees and begged” for the summit to go back on — whether you think he should be weighing in on these international affairs and whether you agree with that assessment.
SECRETARY POMPEO: So back to your second question. I took him as it being a small room and not being serious about the comments. I think it was a bit in jest, and —
Q Do you think it could jeopardize the summit or —
SECRETARY POMPEO: We’re moving forward. We’re focused on the important things. I know Rudy. Rudy doesn’t speak for the administration when it comes to this negotiation and this set of issues.
With respect to your first question, you know, progress — we’re making progress, inch by inch. And we’re going to travel there. This is different. The approach that President Trump is taking is fundamentally different. In the past, there have been months and months of detailed negotiations, and it got nowhere. This has already driven us to a place we’ve not been able to achieve before.
SANDERS: Dave Boyer.
Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary. The President said today that if the Singapore meeting goes well, he’d like to bring Kim Jong Un to Washington, possibly, for further meetings. Has Kim Jong Un invited the President to come to North Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I don’t want to talk to you about the conversations that have been had between the North Korean side and the United States. I’ll leave that for the President to talk to.
But I do want to get to — and this comes back to the other question that you asked about the President’s preparation. So in my previous role — and I’ve said this before; you can look it up — there were few days that I left the Oval Office after having briefed the President that we didn’t talk about North Korea. So over months and months, days and days, President Trump has been receiving briefings on this issue about the military aspects of it; the commercial, economic aspects of it; the history of the relationship. And in the past few months, there have been near-daily briefings, including today, where we have been providing the President all the information that he needs. And I am very confident that the President will be fully prepared when he meets with his North Korean counterpart.
Q Just having met the man twice now, what can you tell us about what opinions you’ve formed of Kim Jong Un as a person?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. So I haven’t spent that much time with him. What I have said publicly is he has indicated to me, personally, that he is prepared to denuclearize; that he understands that the current model doesn’t work, that he’s prepared to denuclearize.
And that, too, he understands that we can’t do it the way we’ve done it before — that this has to be big and bold, and we have to agree to making major changes. We can’t step through this over years, but rather need to acknowledge it will take some amount of time, that this doesn’t happen instantaneously. But that the model for succeeding — security assurance; and political normalization; and denuclearization completely, verifiably, and irreversibly — for that to take place, we’ve got to make bold decisions.
And I’m hopeful that Chairman Kim Jong Un is prepared to make that decision for his country. A big shift in his strategic understanding of his security.
SANDERS: Ayesha.
Q Thank you. So you said that you — that the President is prepared to talk about security guarantees for North Korea. We have seen in this administration that you can — that when new administrations come in, they can undo things that prior administrations have done. How can President Trump guarantee long-term security for North Korea and for Kim, in particular?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, look, we’re going to have to do things that convince Chairman Kim that that’s the case. All right? That’s what we’ll have to do.
So let me give you an example. We are hopeful that we will put ourselves in a position where we can do something the previous administration didn’t do. Right? They signed a flimsy piece of paper, and we’re hoping to submit a document that Congress would also have a say in — that would give currency and strength and elongation to the process, so that when administrations do change, as they inevitably do, and this one will — six and half years from now — when that takes place, that Chairman Kim will have comfort that American policy will continue down the same path, on the course that we hope we’re able to set in Singapore.
SANDERS: We’ll take one last question. Zeke.
Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary. At the top of your remarks — first, to follow up briefly on your comments just about Asia. When you say a “document” that Congress would sign off on, are you referring to a treaty?
Then second, at the top of your remarks, you said that there’s also this threat to the United States and its allies from the North Koreans’ WMDs, as well as ballistic missiles. Is that a condition for the President in any negotiation agreement with Chairman Kim, that its ballistic missile program and chemical weapons also be part of that?
And third, finally, can you discuss the format of the meeting between the President and Chairman Kim? What will it look like? Who will be there?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I’ll leave it to the White House to talk about the format of the meetings when the time is right.
With respect to proliferation risk, it’s very real. There is a history of that, with respect to North Korea and some of our other difficult challenges in the world today. They are connected. The reason you want complete, verifiable, and irreversible is precisely that. To the extent there remain stockpiles, knowledge bases, warehouses, systems, infrastructure, fissile material production facilities — I could go on — to the extent those remain, the risk of proliferation continues. And it’s our aim, through the CVID process and providing the security assurances that Chairman Kim will want, that we can greatly reduce the risk that proliferation ever happens as a result of North Korean actions.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 4, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom. The two leaders discussed the upcoming summit between the United States and North Korea in Singapore. President Trump also called for a new and comprehensive deal that addresses all aspects of Iran’s destabilizing behavior, including in Yemen and Syria. The President further underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe and expressed hope for a Brexit deal that does not increase tensions on the Northern Ireland border. Both leaders discussed their goals for the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada, and look forward to the President’s visit to the United Kingdom in July.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders
Issued on: June 4, 2018
On North Korea, we are actively preparing for the June 12 summit between the President and the North Korean leader. The advance team in Singapore is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins.
In the DMZ, the U.S. Ambassador’s delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made.
Q Sarah, what was the contents of Kim Jong Un’s letter to the President that he received last week? And what did the President take away from that? Is he more encouraged, based on receiving that letter?
SANDERS: I’m not going to get into the specifics of the letter. But as the President said, they were interesting, and we feel like things are continuing to move forward and good progress has been made. And we’re continuing to prepare for the President’s summit.
I can tell you the President has been receiving daily briefings on North Korea from his national security team. And I can also tell you the schedule, tentatively, for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9:00 a.m. Singapore time, and take place on June 11th, 9:00 p.m. East Coast time.
(The Capella Hotel in Singapore has been chosen to host the historic event.)
Q There’s a separate report that Vladimir Putin has reached out to Kim JongUn and wants to meet with him. Is that a meeting that the President thinks would be constructive to this process? Does the President support Vladimir Putin meeting with Kim JongUn as well?
SANDERS: Our focus is on the President’s meeting with Kim JongUn. And the President will make his views known directly to him when we’re in Singapore. And our focus will continue to be on denuclearization.
Q Sarah, no matter what you call it, is maximum pressure still the policy of the United States toward North Korea?
SANDERS: Our policy hasn’t changed, and as the President stated, we have sanctions on, they’re very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearized.
On North Korea, we are actively preparing for the June 12 summit between the President and the North Korean leader. The advance team in Singapore is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins.
In the DMZ, the U.S. Ambassador’s delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made.
Q Sarah, no matter what you call it, is maximum pressure still the policy of the United States toward North Korea?
SANDERS: Our policy hasn’t changed, and as the President stated, we have sanctions on, they’re very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearized.
Remarks by President Trump after Meeting with
Vice Chairman Kim Yong Chol of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: June 1, 2018
South Lawn
2:41 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: The meeting went very well. We’ll be meeting on June 12th in Singapore. It went very well. It’s really a get-to-know-you kind of a situation.
Mike has spent two days doing this. We’ve gotten to know their people very well. And we will — you people are going to have to travel because you’ll be in Singapore on June 12th.
And I think it’ll be a process. It’s not — I never said it goes in one meeting. I think it’s going to be a process. But the relationships are building, and that’s a very positive thing.
Q Mr. President, what’s your sense of what the North Koreans are willing to do on the issue of denuclearization? Are they looking at it all at once?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think they want to do that. I know they want to do that. They want other things along the line. They want to develop as a country. That’s going to happen. I have no doubt. Japan is involved, as you know. And South Korea is very much involved. We’re involved in terms of getting everything. Everybody wants the United States. So we’re going to help in the process very much. Without us, it wouldn’t happen.
But I think that you see a lot of very positive things, including with China. I think you see a lot of very positive things happening with President Xi, who has helped me quite a bit with this. So we’ll see where it leads.
But we’re going to be — June 12th, we’ll be in Singapore. It will be a beginning. I don’t say and I’ve never said it happens in one meeting. You’re talking about years of hostility; years of problems; years of, really, hatred between so many different nations. But I think you’re going to have a very positive result in the end. Not from one meeting, but you’re going to have a very positive —
Q You appeared to question their sincerity in your letter to Kim Jong Un last week. Have they gone far enough now? Do you believe they’re sincere?
THE PRESIDENT: My letter was a response to their letter. The media forgot that. You know, the media said, “Oh, you had a meeting, then you cancelled.” I didn’t cancel the meeting. I cancelled it in response to a very tough statement. And I think we’re over that — totally over that. And now we’re going to deal, and we’re going to really start a process.
We’re meeting with the Chairman on June 12th. And I think it’s probably going to be a very successful — ultimately, a successful process. We’ll see.
Remember what I say: We will see what we will see. But I think it’s going to be a process that we deserve to have. I mean, we really deserve — they want it. We think it’s important. And I think we would be making a big mistake if we didn’t have it. I think we’re going to have a relationship, and it will start on June 12th.
Q What can you get done in one meeting? What can you get done on June 12th? And why do you think they’re open to denuclearization?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, this was a very good meeting. Don’t forget, this was a meeting where a letter was given to me by Kim Jong Un, and that letter was a very nice letter. Oh, would you like to see what was in that letter? Would you like it?
Q Can you tell us?
THE PRESIDENT: How much? How much? How much?
Q Can you just give us a flavor of what the letter said?
THE PRESIDENT: Ah, it was a very interesting letter. And at some point I may be — it may be appropriate, and maybe I’ll be able to give it to you. Maybe you’ll be able to see it, and maybe fairly soon.
But really, this was a letter presentation that ended up being a two-hour conversation.
Q Why did it end up going so long, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Because we found the whole subject matter very interesting. And because I really think they want to do something. And if it’s possible, so do we.
Q What did he ask you (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: I think all we’re going to do is be there on June 12th, and we’re going to see what happens. Mike has been dealing very well. They have a very good relationship with Mike Pompeo, our Secretary of State. It was actually very interesting because this was literally going to be the delivery of a letter, and it ended up being a two-hour conversation with the second most powerful man in North Korea.
Q Did he ask you anything about troop levels in South Korea?
THE PRESIDENT: We talked about almost everything. We talked about a lot. And we talked about sanctions.
Q (Inaudible) with Kim Jong Un yet?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t want to say that.
Q Did they agree to CVID, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: We talked about about a lot of things. We really did. But the big deal will be on June 12th. And again, it’s a process. It doesn’t go — we’re not going to sign a — we’re not going to go in and sign something on June 12th and we never were. We’re going to start a process. And I told them today, “Take your time. We can go fast. We can go slowly.” But I think they’d like to see something happen. And if we can work that out, that will be good. But the process will begin on June 12th in Singapore.
Q Do you believe Kim is committed to denuclearization?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I do think so. He’d like to see it happen. He wants to be careful. He wants to be, you know — he’s not going to run and do things. But I told him, to be honest with you, look, we have sanctions on; they’re very powerful sanctions. We would not take sanctions off unless they did that. But the sanctions are very powerful. You’ve seen how powerful in other ways. You’re going to see how powerful sanctions are when it comes to Iran. You see what that’s doing to Iran.
So we have sanctions on. And at a certain point, I’ll tell you what, I look forward to the day when I can take the sanctions off of North Korea.
Q Did you talk about human rights today? And do you expect to talk about it on —
THE PRESIDENT: We did not talk about human rights, no.
Q Do you expect to talk about it on June 12th?
THE PRESIDENT: Could be. Yeah. Could be. I think we probably will, and maybe in great detail. We did not talk about human rights.
Q Did you talk about sanctions? Did they ask you to make any changes?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, we did. We talked about it. Yes, they asked about sanctions.
Q Is maximum pressure over, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Excuse me?
Q Is maximum pressure over, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: It’s going to remain what it is now. I don’t even want to use the term “maximum pressure” anymore because I don’t want to use that term because we’re getting along. You see the relationship. We’re getting along.
So it’s not a question of maximum pressure. It’s staying essentially the way it is. At some point, hopefully, a deal — for the good of millions of people, a deal will be worked out.
Q Mr. President, how would you describe the state of relations now between the United States and North Korea after your meetings today?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think they’re okay. I mean, I think they’re good. Is it like the relationships we have with a couple of other countries? Probably not. Right? But I think the relationship we have right now with North Korea is as good as it’s been in a long time.
They had no relationship under the previous administration. There was nothing. It was nothing. They were explaining, it was just a “nothing.” Nothing was done.
Hey, folks, this should not be up to me. This should have been handled a long time ago. This got to a very critical point. This should have been handled many years ago — not only by President Obama, but by other Presidents that preceded me. This shouldn’t be done now, this should have been done years ago.
Q Do you plan to offer the North Koreans economic aid at the June 12th summit?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, what’s going to happen is South Korea will do that. No, I don’t think the United States is going to have to spend. I think South Korea will do it. I think China — I think, frankly, China will help out.
I think that Japan will help out. No, I don’t see the United States spending a lot of money. You know, we have three hostages. How much money did I spend for the hostages?
And, look, we’re very far away. We are very far away. Those places are very close. It’s their neighborhood. We’re thousands — we’re 6,000 miles away. So I’ve already told South Korea, I said, “You know, you’re going to have to get ready.” And Japan, also.
And I think they really want to see something great happen. Japan does, South Korea does, and I think China does. But that’s their neighborhood; it’s not our neighborhood.
Q Mr. President, yesterday you were concerned about the meeting that Lavrov was having with Kim Jong Un.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I didn’t like it.
Q Where are you on that today?
THE PRESIDENT: I didn’t like it, but it could be very positive, too.
I didn’t like the Russian meeting yesterday. I said, “What’s the purpose of that?” But, it could be a positive meeting. If it’s a positive meeting, I love it. If it’s a negative meeting, I’m not happy. And it could very well be a positive meeting.
Q Are you willing to end the South Korean War on June 12th, during the summit?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we could — that could happen. That could happen. We talked about it.
Q Tell us more.
THE PRESIDENT: We talked about ending the war. And you know, this war has been going on — it’s got to be the longest war — almost 70 years, right? And there is a possibility of something like that. That’s more of a signing of a document that it’s very important in one way. Historically, it’s very important. But we’ll see.
And we did discuss that — the ending of the Korean War. Can you believe that we’re talking about the ending of the Korean War? You’re talking about 70 years.
Q Has that document been prepared? Or is it being prepared?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re going to discuss it prior to the meeting. That’s something that could come out of the meeting. I think, really, there’s something that maybe could come out of the meeting.
Q Where’s China on that?
THE PRESIDENT: I think China would like to see a very positive result. I have a lot of good relations with, as you know, Chairman Xi. He’s a great — he’s really a very wonderful guy. He’s a man that loves China. However, he wants to do what’s best for China. I think China and President Xi would love to see something happen here.
Q When you say you’re going to guarantee Kim’s security, and the North Korean regime’s security, how will you do that? How would the United States do that?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re going to make sure it’s secure. We’re going to make sure when this is over, it’s over. It’s not going to be starting up again.
And they have a potential to be a great country. And I think South Korea is going to help a lot. Japan is going to help a lot. I think China is going to help a lot.
Q How do you envision that working, though?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that’s a very complicated question, frankly, but you’ll see that over a period of time.
Q When you gave your speech in Seoul last November, you talked about the bright promise if North Korea should choose to join the company of nations. But if you leave Kim in place, can you really have a transformation like that?
THE PRESIDENT: I really think you can. And I think it’s going to be very successful. They’re incredible people. I think it’s going to be a very great success. So we’ll see what happens.
But we’ll see you — we will see you on June 12th, but I’m sure we’ll see you a little bit before that. In the meantime, how is Sarah doing? Okay? (Laughter.)
Q Have you discussed dates for a second or a third summit?
THE PRESIDENT: The — which one?
Q Did you discuss dates for a second or a third meeting?
THE PRESIDENT: I told them, I think that you’re going to have, probably, others. Hey, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we walked out and everything was settled all of a sudden from sitting down for a couple of hours? No, I don’t see that happening. But I see over a period of time.
And frankly, I said, “Take your time. Take your time. It’s going to remain as is, but take your time.”
One thing I did do, and it was very important, we had hundreds of new sanctions ready to go on. And he did not — the director did not ask, but I said I’m not going to put them on until such time as the talks break down.
We have very significant sanctions on now. But we had hundreds — we have hundreds that are ready to go. But I said, “I’m not going to.” But why would I do that when we’re talking so nicely?
Q Is this first meeting more of a personal diplomacy, part of your “getting to know you” —
THE PRESIDENT: I think it’s a “getting to know you” meeting, plus. And that can be a very positive thing.
Q Mr. President, what was your response to the letter? Did you send anything back?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I didn’t. I haven’t seen the letter yet. I purposely didn’t open the letter. I haven’t opened it. I didn’t open it in front of the director.
I said, “Would you want me to open it?” He said, “You can read it later.” I may be in for a big surprise, folks. (Laughter.) So long, everybody. Q What’s the next move on NAFTA, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, NAFTA — look, it’s been a terrible deal for the United States. People are starting to see it. We lose over $100 billion a year with Mexico. We lose many, many, many billions of dollars with Canada. Canada doesn’t take — I mean, they’re very restrictive as to taking our agricultural product, and other things.
And, you know, all of these countries, including the European Union, they charge five times the tariff. We don’t charge tariffs, essentially. They charge five times what we charge for tariffs. And I believe in the word “reciprocal.” You’re going to charge five times? We’re going to charge five times. That hasn’t been done. No other President ever brought it up. And it’s going to be done now.
So we’re negotiating numerous deals. We’re talking about NAFTA. To be honest with you, I wouldn’t see NAFTA — I wouldn’t mind seeing NAFTA, where you’d go by a different name, where you make a separate deal with Canada and a separate deal with Mexico because you’re talking about a very different two countries.
But I wouldn’t mind seeing a separate deal with Canada, where you have one type of product, so to speak, and a separate deal with Mexico.
These are two very difficult countries. It’s been a lousy deal for the United States from day one. We lose a lot of money with Canada, and we lose a fortune with Mexico. And it’s not going to happen like that anymore.
I mean, Mexico has taken our car companies, a big percentage of them. And we can’t do that. And, look, the American worker agrees with me. Obviously, the stock market agrees because when you look at what’s going on with the stocks, they’re starting to see I’m right.
But if you take the European Union and you see the kind of tariff they charge, and then we don’t, that’s called, “not fair trade.” I want fair trade. I like free trade, but I want fair trade. At a minimum, I want fair trade.
And we’re going to have it for our workers and for our companies. And you know what? The other side understands it.
To be honest with you, they cannot believe that they’ve gotten away with this for so many decades.
Q Canada, the UK, some of our closest allies are complaining long and loud about these new tariffs. What do you say to them?
THE PRESIDENT: They’re our allies but they take advantage of us economically. And so I agree — I love Canada. I love Mexico. I love them. But Mexico is making over $100 billion a year and they’re not helping us with our border because they have strong laws and we have horrible laws. We have horrible border laws. They have strong — they could solve our border problem if they wanted, but they don’t want to. And when they want to, then I’ll be happy.
But I think we have a good chance of doing some great trade deals, and we’ll make America great again. Right? That’s what we’re doing. But America has picked up — we’ve made about $8 trillion in value since — you know, we’re double the size of the economy of China. We’ve picked up a lot of value, a lot of wealth, since I’ve been President. More than $8 trillion. And that’s a very low number because we’re talking stock market wealth. I’m talking about beyond that.
Our companies are doing great, we’re doing great, our military is rebuilding. We have a lot of great things going. We’re going to straighten out trade. The trade is going to be easy.
And other countries understand. You know, when I talk to them, they look at me — and this is in closed doors, not for you people — and they essentially say, “We can’t believe we’ve gotten away with this for so long.” It’s like, you guys can’t believe you’ve gotten away with it for so long.
Q (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: I want everyone to watch. Because I’ll tell you what, we have such a great country. Right now, at this level, I don’t think we’ve ever been, on an economic scale — you look at the numbers: 3.8 percent. We have the lowest numbers of unemployment that we’ve had — is it 50 years? I think it’s 50. Fifty years, right? So we have the best — we have some of the best economic numbers we’ve ever had as a nation. And that goes a long way. And we’re building something very special. Just remember, we’re twice the size — our economy — twice the size of China.
Good meeting today. I think it’s a great start.
Q What’s on the agenda for Camp David?
THE PRESIDENT: Just a little relaxation and a lot of work. We have a lot of calls set up. I’m calling a lot of the foreign leaders. I’m negotiating trade deals. I’m working. I’m working hard for you people.
Have a good time. Thank you.
END
US. Sec. of Defense Mattis China Opening Statement at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue June 2, 2018
;
Remarks by Secretary Mattis at Plenary Session of the 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue
Press Operations
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis; John Chipman, Director-General and Chief Executive, IISS
June 2, 2018
Q: You have mentioned the South China Sea quite extensively in your speech, Mr. Secretary. So my question is related to the U.S.-Philippine alliance. Because in 2014, President Obama, when he was visiting Manila, was asked twice by a journalist if Philippine-occupied features and Filipino public vessels in the South China Sea are covered by the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. And twice, he sidelined the question.
When Secretary Hillary Clinton was asked the same question, she said that she does not to discuss hypothetical scenarios. But let me just ask the same question of you, Mr. Secretary, because I think the answer to this question is very important as to how the Duterte administration is going to move ahead with its own maritime security policy.
So in essence the question is, are Filipino public vessels and Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea covered by the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty? Thank you.
SEC. MATTIS: Yes, thank you. It's good to see someone without my color hair here, young man. I appreciate that.
The -- let me tell you that when we have discussions on these matters, the reason why public figures do not want to give specific answers is that these are complex issues. And when you start saying, "yes, no, black, white" -- we have been on the record about international tribunals that say there is no such thing as a nine-dash line, or is no legal basis for this -- we stand by international law. We stand by international tribunals. We listen to each nation's concerns. And to simply turn it into a -- a military or non-military response is -- is a shortchanging of the issue.
This is what diplomacy is all about. Diplomacy is all about taking contrary perspectives and finding common ground. And we've got to try to do that in this world. Those of us who have worn uniforms, those who wear uniforms today, are keenly aware of the cost of war, and there has got to be a commitment, not a, "Well, when it suits me, I'll listen to other nations." Not, "When it suits me, I'll listen to international tribunals."
It's go to be that we actually want to live by these rules, these rules that have allowed China to recover many people from the depths of poverty and bring up their quality of life; these rules have helped China. There is a reason why China, I believe, will eventually come to grips with the needs and the expectations of the neighbors around them.
And further, I would just tell you that we maintain confidentiality at times in these efforts, and I -- you know, I mean it's a free and open press here, and I -- I support that, but at the same time, you can often do most of your good work and setting the conditions for a path ahead by not locking yourself into public statements where, understandably, people take each word separately apart and now pretty soon you're -- you're locked into positions that do not allow the diplomats to find common ground.
So I'm not trying to give a -- a civics class here, I just want you to understand why in many cases those who actually carry the responsibility do not go for, "It's my way or the highway," or there's only one position. That would -- might very well be a going in position, and we stand by our treaty allies, but this is a discussion between the current administration in the Manila and in Washington D.C., and it's not one that can be answered as simply as your question would indicate.
MR. CHIPMAN: And from Malaysia, Dr. (Ngao Chao Bing ?).
Q: Hello. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. So the reason the National Security Strategy document and a National Defense Strategy document of the United States government have identified China and Russia as the main concerns, and basically the strategic adversaries in the coming years, I assume, is the position.
As I understand the -- for a long time, the U.S. strategy is trying not to create -- it will have a unifier erosion (inaudible) and try to drive a wedge between China and Russia, but now the documents seem to actually push them to work together even further. So is that really -- I'm just wondering -- is that really a wise move to put China and Russia and make them actually work much closer in these documents? Thank you.
SEC. MATTIS: Yes. If that's what the documents appear to do -- I've got to go back and read them again, because our view is that with both those nations with great power competition and at levels that we had hoped we'd see be characterized more by cooperation and collaboration -- if the competition is going to grow more strident then that's what we don't want to have happen.
And in terms of their relationship I think it's -- from my review its objective fact that Russia has more in common with Western Europe and the United States than they have in common with China. I believe China has more in common with Pacific Ocean nations and the United States and India than they have in common with Russia. I think there's a natural non-convergence of interest. There may be short-term convergence in the event they want to contradict international tribunals or try muscling their way into certain circumstances but my view -- I would not be wasting my time going to Beijing at the end of the month if I really thought that's the only option between us and China. What would be the point of it? I've got more important things to do.
I believe that what we're going to see is at some point in both Moscow and Beijing they are going to recognize the reality of what we see in this room: many different nations all sitting down together all trying to find a way forward with respect for each other's internal dynamics, each other's culture and not finding this as a reason why we cannot work together. We all know we can work together.
We have worked closely with Russia to defeat fascism and with China to defeat fascism. We have worked closely with other nations that we had open war with: with Germany, with Japan after World War II. There is no need for this to go in the direction you're referring to of those two against the world.
There are obviously a lot of nations allied with us. There's a lot of nations collaborating and partnering with us but those nations and us, combined have a desire for peace and figured out how we can find a way through these disagreements in a positive, productive, relationship that's competitive certainly but does not have to be combative and that we all have to work hard at that.
But I will go back and read the documents again -- after you go through it about 30 times before you sign it you can sometimes start to see the forest for the trees. So, thanks for bringing that up. I'll take a look at it. It's certainly not how we see the world.
MR CHIPMAN: In about two minutes we will move immediately to the second plenary on the important issue of de-escalating the North Korean crisis, but I hope you all agree with me that we have had just now a very clear statement from the U.S. secretary of defense. And a tremendous conversation with the secretary of defense in command of the subject matter, the issues, the strategy, and defense diplomatic execution. And please join me in thanking him for these 45 minutes. (Applause.)
Q: You have mentioned the South China Sea quite extensively in your speech, Mr. Secretary. So my question is related to the U.S.-Philippine alliance. Because in 2014, President Obama, when he was visiting Manila, was asked twice by a journalist if Philippine-occupied features and Filipino public vessels in the South China Sea are covered by the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. And twice, he sidelined the question.
When Secretary Hillary Clinton was asked the same question, she said that she does not to discuss hypothetical scenarios. But let me just ask the same question of you, Mr. Secretary, because I think the answer to this question is very important as to how the Duterte administration is going to move ahead with its own maritime security policy.
So in essence the question is, are Filipino public vessels and Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea covered by the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty? Thank you.
SEC. MATTIS: Yes, thank you. It's good to see someone without my color hair here, young man. I appreciate that.
The -- let me tell you that when we have discussions on these matters, the reason why public figures do not want to give specific answers is that these are complex issues. And when you start saying, "yes, no, black, white" -- we have been on the record about international tribunals that say there is no such thing as a nine-dash line, or is no legal basis for this -- we stand by international law. We stand by international tribunals. We listen to each nation's concerns. And to simply turn it into a -- a military or non-military response is -- is a shortchanging of the issue.
This is what diplomacy is all about. Diplomacy is all about taking contrary perspectives and finding common ground. And we've got to try to do that in this world. Those of us who have worn uniforms, those who wear uniforms today, are keenly aware of the cost of war, and there has got to be a commitment, not a, "Well, when it suits me, I'll listen to other nations." Not, "When it suits me, I'll listen to international tribunals."
It's go to be that we actually want to live by these rules, these rules that have allowed China to recover many people from the depths of poverty and bring up their quality of life; these rules have helped China. There is a reason why China, I believe, will eventually come to grips with the needs and the expectations of the neighbors around them.
And further, I would just tell you that we maintain confidentiality at times in these efforts, and I -- you know, I mean it's a free and open press here, and I -- I support that, but at the same time, you can often do most of your good work and setting the conditions for a path ahead by not locking yourself into public statements where, understandably, people take each word separately apart and now pretty soon you're -- you're locked into positions that do not allow the diplomats to find common ground.
So I'm not trying to give a -- a civics class here, I just want you to understand why in many cases those who actually carry the responsibility do not go for, "It's my way or the highway," or there's only one position. That would -- might very well be a going in position, and we stand by our treaty allies, but this is a discussion between the current administration in the Manila and in Washington D.C., and it's not one that can be answered as simply as your question would indicate.
MR. CHIPMAN: And from Malaysia, Dr. (Ngao Chao Bing ?).
Q: Hello. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. So the reason the National Security Strategy document and a National Defense Strategy document of the United States government have identified China and Russia as the main concerns, and basically the strategic adversaries in the coming years, I assume, is the position.
As I understand the -- for a long time, the U.S. strategy is trying not to create -- it will have a unifier erosion (inaudible) and try to drive a wedge between China and Russia, but now the documents seem to actually push them to work together even further. So is that really -- I'm just wondering -- is that really a wise move to put China and Russia and make them actually work much closer in these documents? Thank you.
SEC. MATTIS: Yes. If that's what the documents appear to do -- I've got to go back and read them again, because our view is that with both those nations with great power competition and at levels that we had hoped we'd see be characterized more by cooperation and collaboration -- if the competition is going to grow more strident then that's what we don't want to have happen.
And in terms of their relationship I think it's -- from my review its objective fact that Russia has more in common with Western Europe and the United States than they have in common with China. I believe China has more in common with Pacific Ocean nations and the United States and India than they have in common with Russia. I think there's a natural non-convergence of interest. There may be short-term convergence in the event they want to contradict international tribunals or try muscling their way into certain circumstances but my view -- I would not be wasting my time going to Beijing at the end of the month if I really thought that's the only option between us and China. What would be the point of it? I've got more important things to do.
I believe that what we're going to see is at some point in both Moscow and Beijing they are going to recognize the reality of what we see in this room: many different nations all sitting down together all trying to find a way forward with respect for each other's internal dynamics, each other's culture and not finding this as a reason why we cannot work together. We all know we can work together.
We have worked closely with Russia to defeat fascism and with China to defeat fascism. We have worked closely with other nations that we had open war with: with Germany, with Japan after World War II. There is no need for this to go in the direction you're referring to of those two against the world.
There are obviously a lot of nations allied with us. There's a lot of nations collaborating and partnering with us but those nations and us, combined have a desire for peace and figured out how we can find a way through these disagreements in a positive, productive, relationship that's competitive certainly but does not have to be combative and that we all have to work hard at that.
But I will go back and read the documents again -- after you go through it about 30 times before you sign it you can sometimes start to see the forest for the trees. So, thanks for bringing that up. I'll take a look at it. It's certainly not how we see the world.
MR CHIPMAN: In about two minutes we will move immediately to the second plenary on the important issue of de-escalating the North Korean crisis, but I hope you all agree with me that we have had just now a very clear statement from the U.S. secretary of defense. And a tremendous conversation with the secretary of defense in command of the subject matter, the issues, the strategy, and defense diplomatic execution. And please join me in thanking him for these 45 minutes. (Applause.)
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo Remarks at a Press Availability
Spellman Room, Lotte Palace Hotel
New York City
May 31, 2018
SECRETARY POMPEO: Good afternoon, everyone. As you know, in addition to my meeting with Vice Chairman Kim Yong-chol, we have teams in Singapore and at the DMZ working with their North Korean counterparts to prepare for President Trump and Chairman Kim’s expected summit in Singapore. Through these series of meetings, I am confident we are moving in the right direction.
Today, Vice Chairman Kim and I discussed how our countries could come together and take advantage of the unique opportunity that our two leaders have created through their visions of the future that they have so clearly articulated. Vice Chairman Kim Yong-chol is now planning to travel to Washington to deliver a personal letter from Chairman Kim Jong-un.
The proposed summit offers a historic opening for President Trump and Chairman Kim to boldly lead the United States and the DPRK into a new era of peace, prosperity, and security. Our two countries face a pivotal moment in our relationship in which it could be nothing short of tragic to let this opportunity go to waste.
In my conversations with Chairman Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang and today with Vice Chairman Kim Yong-chol, I have been very clear that President Trump and the United States objective is very consistent and well known: the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. President Trump has also made it clear that if Kim Jong-un denuclearizes, there is a brighter path for North Korea. We envision a strong, connected, and secure, prosperous North Korea that maintains its cultural heritage but is integrated into the community of nations.
We think that working together, the people of the United States and North Korea can create a future defined by friendship and collaboration, not by mistrust and fear and threats. We sincerely hope that Chairman Kim Jong-un shares this positive vision for the future. We expect both leaders to enter the summit in Singapore, if it proceeds, with their eyes wide open and with a clear understanding of the possibilities for the future. If these talks are successful, it will truly be historic. It will take bold leadership from Chairman Kim Jong-un if we are able to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the course for the world.
President Trump and I believe Chairman Kim is the kind of leader who can make those kinds of decisions, and that in the coming weeks and months we will have the opportunity to test whether or not this is the case.
Happy to take a couple questions.
MS NAUERT: Our first question – and one question each, please – goes to Nick Wadhams from Bloomberg. Nick, go ahead.
QUESTION: Thanks. Mr. Secretary, last night the State Department told us that the U.S. would be looking for a historic commitment from North Korea before the summit would go ahead. Today you ended talks with Kim Yong-chol early. Can you talk about why you did that? Did you get the commitment you sought and do the U.S. and North Korea now agree on what denuclearization would mean?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So that’s a (inaudible) matter. We didn’t end the talks early. We had a set series of items that we wanted to make sure we covered, topics which we made sure that we were clear on in terms of what our expectations were and their expectations in return of us. We achieved that. This is a difficult, difficult challenge. Make no mistake about it. There remains a great deal of work to do. And we made progress here as well as at the same time made progress in the other venues that conversations were taking place. We had all the time we needed today to make the progress that was achievable during our time here in New York City.
MS NAUERT: Our next question goes to Michael Gordon from The Wall Street Journal.
QUESTION: Sir, following up on that, a senior State Department official – same person who spoke to us last night – also indicated that the United States hopes to persuade North Korea that its security doesn’t depend on nuclear weapons. You’ve now had three meetings with them and spent some hours with them. Do you feel that you’ve been successful yet in doing that, or is the difficult in settling this issue the reason why President Trump is now talking about the possibility of having two or three summits and not just trying to break the back of these issues in a single meeting?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah, this is – look, make no mistake about it. President Trump, this administration completely understands how hard this problem is. There is a long history where North Korea has viewed its nuclear program as providing the security that it needed for the regime. The effort now is to come to a set of understandings which convince the North Koreans of what President Trump has said. If we’re able to achieve it, if the North Koreans are prepared in fact to denuclearize – this includes all elements of their nuclear program – if we convince them of that, that in fact their security is greater, that in fact the real threat to their security is the continued holding onto of that nuclear weapons program and not the converse. We’ve had lots of conversations around that. The true test, of course, comes when we actually achieve this, but many conversations have been had about how we might proceed, what the path might be forward so that we can achieve both the denuclearization that the world demands of North Korea and the security assurances that would be required for them to allow us to achieve that.
MS NAUERT: Next one to Martha Raddatz from ABC News.
QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo, you call it a proposed summit. Will we find out whether it’s a go tomorrow? And also, you looked the vice chairman in the eyes. You have been with him in the room. What accounted for the progress? This has been such a roller coaster ride. The summit was off; we’ve gone from fire and fury to this. So talk about what accounted for the change, and do you worry that you could still change back?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So Martha, I have had the chance to meet Chairman Kim Jong-un twice and now Kim Yong-chol three times. I’ve spent a great deal of time with each of them. I believe they are contemplating a path forward where they can make a strategic shift, one that their country has not been prepared to make before. This will obviously be their decision. They’ll have to make that. They’ll have to choose – as I just spoke about, they’ll have to choose a path that is fundamentally different than the one that their country has proceeded on for decades. It should not be to anyone’s surprise that there will be moments along the way that this won’t be straightforward, that there’ll be things that look hard and times it appears there’s a roadblock and sometimes, perhaps, even perceived as insurmountable.
Our mission is incredibly clear. It is to continue to push forward – the President has directed me to push forward to test the proposition that we can achieve that outcome. So I know everyone’s following this minute by minute and hour by hour. This is going to be a process that will take days and weeks to work our way through. There will be tough moments, there will be difficult times. I’ve had some difficult conversations with them as well. They’ve given it right back to me too. There is – we’re decades into this challenge, and so one not ought to be either surprised or frightened or deterred by moments where it looks like there are challenges and difficulties, things that can’t be bridged. Our mission is to bridge them so that we can achieve this historic outcome.
QUESTION: And on the proposed summit, will we know tomorrow whether there will actually be a summit?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Don’t know. Don’t know the answer to that.
MS NAUERT: And our final question goes to Adam Shapiro with Fox News.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Let me just say, Martha, while we may not know tomorrow, I will tell you we’ve made real progress in the last 72 hours toward setting the conditions, right – so your question really goes to what are the conditions. The conditions are putting President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un in a place where we think there could be real progress made by the two of them meeting. It does no good if we’re in a place where we don’t think there’s real opportunity to place them together. We’ve made real progress towards that in the last 72 hours.
MS NAUERT: And Adam from Fox.
QUESTION: Secretary Pompeo, you talk about complete denuclearization of the peninsula, so my question is about this and the impact on our allies. What concern does the United States have about exposing South Korea and our Asian allies, like Japan, to greater, perhaps, Chinese influence if there is as part of a deal in the future a draw-down of U.S. military presence in South Korea?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’m not going to talk about today nor at any time during the negotiations about the elements of what the shape of the agreement looks like. That’s – those are things that ought to be held so that the leaders have all the freedom they need to make the right decision. So with respect to the draw-down, it’s obviously a DOD issue. I’m not going to speak to that today.
What I can say is this: I’ve been the Secretary of State now for 30-odd days, I think. There is no daylight between the South Koreans, the Japanese, and the United States with respect to our approach to how we resolve this issue with respect to North Korea. I have spoken to my counterparts there, I’ve spoken to President Moon there. We understand their concerns. We understand the risks that can be posed to them. And an agreement that we reach will provide an outcome that each of those countries can sign on to as well.
QUESTION: But is there the potential for the creation, for lack of a better term, of a vacuum that the Chinese could then move in, whether it be economic, political, or militarily?
SECRETARY POMPEO: The Chinese are moving all around the world today. Let’s be clear. The risk of that is real everywhere, not just in this particular space. We’re keenly aware of it, and I’m – I am confident that the things we’re talking about with respect to North Korea will not enhance the risk of that to any significant degree. We wouldn’t do that to the South Koreans or the Japanese, two of our most important allies in the region.
MS NAUERT: Okay, everyone. Thank you.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much.
MS NAUERT: Thank you so much. Good to see you.
QUESTION: Are we going to Singapore?
BREAKING NEWS: Top North Korean official headed to NY for summit talks
May 29, 2018
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Fox News John Roberts reports from the White House, May 29th, 2018: The U.S. and North Korea are working to salvage the June 12th summit in Singapore, with one of Kim Jong Un's top aides reportedly flying to New York.
ARIRANG NEWS, Lee Ji-won Dated May 29th, 2018:North Korea, U.S. in multiple preparatory meetings for summit: North Korea, U.S. in multiple preparatory meetings for summit:North Korea, U.S. in multiple preparatory meetings for summit: Pyongyang and Washington are reportedly carrying out a multi-pronged diplomatic activity.
All possibly designed to assist with preparations for the summit between their leaders, originally set to be held on June 12 in Singapore.
North Korea and the United States seem to be getting closer to finally announcing that the first ever Pyongyang-Washington summit *will in fact be held.
The Vice Chairman of the North's Workers' Party, Kim Yong-chol , who is also in charge of the regime's United Front Department, arrived in Beijing Tuesday morning to fly to the U.S.
According to South Korea's Yonhap News, citing sources in China, Kim's name is on the list of people taking a flight to New York on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Kim has met several times with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and he's expected to do the same this time as well. Also in Beijing with Kim was the official in charge of North American affairs at Pyongyang's foreign ministry, Choe Kang-il. The two initially booked a New York-bound flight leaving Tuesday afternoon but postponed it to the next day. The change in schedule was likely because a meeting was suddenly arranged between Kim and
Chinese officials at the airport on Tuesday.
Observers say Kim and Pompeo are expected to put together the final pieces for the summit,... with preparatory meetings now well under way.
Regarding those preparations,... late Monday, an eight-member delegation from the North is said to have landed in Singapore, according sources there, to meet their U.S. counterparts.
The North Koreans are led by the Secretariat of the regime's State Affairs Commission, Kim Chang-son, a top logistics and protocol official.
The U.S. team, consisting of some 30 officials from the White House and State Department, led by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Joe Hagin, arrived in the Southeast Asian city-state earlier that day.
Although the exact time of the meeting has not been disclosed, the two sides are expected to meet as early as Tuesday, to discuss logistics, protocol and specific venues and itineraries for Kim Jong-un and President Trump.
Representatives of the U.S. and North Korea are also believed to have resumed their meeting Tuesday at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom.
Those delegations are led respectively by former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and former nuclear negotiator Sung Kim, and North Korea's Choe Son-hui, who serves as the regime's vice foreign minister and is a former director of her ministry's North American department.
The talks began on Sunday but, according to diplomatic sources, they did not convene on Monday -- the two sides instead meeting among themselves. The leaders of both delegations are experts in their fields, so observers say they will have worked on the summit's agenda and other details.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
Kim Yong-chol is a North Korean general and politician who currently serves as vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea for south Korean affairs and head of the United Front Work Department. From February 2009-January 2016 he was the director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the country's primary intelligence service.
In 1962 he served in the 15th Division, a civil police company guarding the Korean Demilitarized Zone. In 1968 he was appointed as a liaison officer to the United Nations Command, Military Armistice Commission, Korea. In 1976, he was made a division commander of the Supreme Guard Command. In 1990 he was promoted to Major General and became deputy director of the Ministry of People's Armed Forces and director of the MPAF Reconnaissance Bureau. In 1998 he was elected as a deputy to the 10th Supreme People's Assembly and again in 2003 to the 11th.
In 2009, he was appointed director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vice-Chief of the General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army. He also elected as a deputy to the 12th Supreme People's Assembly. In 2010 he was promoted to Colonel-General and elected to the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 6th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. He was a member of the funeral committee of Jo Myong-rok.
In 2011, he was a member of the funeral committee of Kim jong-il.
In 2012 he was promoted to General.
In 2014, he was elected as a deputy to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly and served on the funeral committee of Jon Pyong-ho.
In May 2016, he was elected to the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. He was elected as a member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and as Vice-Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea. He was appointed as director of the United Front Department and served on the funeral committees of Kang Sok-ju and Ryu Mi-yong. He was elected to the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.
Presence at 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics
Kim was sent as part of North Korea's Olympic delegation to the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics held on February 24th, 2018. His presence was controversial, mostly due to allegations that Kim was responsible for orchestrating an attack on a South Korean naval ship in 2010 that killed 46 sailors. An article in the Hangook Ilbo warned that Kim's attendance could send "raging waves" throughout the Korean Peninsula, but the games closed without incident.
Top Stories Today - BREAKING NEWS Out Of North Korea
May 27, 2018
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US President Donald Trump said on Sunday his team had arrived in North Korea to prepare for a proposed summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which Trump pulled out of last week before reconsidering. In addition to the border talks, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said a “pre-advance team” left for Singapore on Sunday morning to work on logistics for a possible summit.
On May 27, 2018, published
May 25 (KCNA) -- The northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK was completely dismantled under a decision made at the Third Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
After the publication of the decision at the April plenary meeting of the WPK Central Committee on dismantling the nuclear test ground, relevant institutions including the Nuclear Weapons Institute of the DPRK immediately stopped all preparations and projects for nuclear tests and had carried out phased dismantlement.
The tunnels and all kinds of equipment, information communications and power systems and construction and operation equipment, that had been installed at the observation center, control center and research institute in the northern nuclear test ground, were dismantled and withdrawn.
A ceremony for completely dismantling the northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK was carried out on May 24.
The process of the dismantlement was covered in field by reporters from China, Russia, the U.S., Britain and south Korea.
The members of the international press corps were briefed on the methods and order of dismantlement of the test ground, and went round tunnels where nuclear tests had been carried out in the past, tunnels ready for immediately and safely conducting powerful nuclear tests and the test observation centers.
Then, a work for collapsing all tunnels of the nuclear test ground by means of explosion, shutting down their entrances and exploding all the ground structures including the test observation centers was carried out in order with transparency.
At the end of the work, the Nuclear Weapons Institute of the DPRK issued a statement on the spot.
The dismantlement of the nuclear test ground is a vivid manifestation of the DPRK government's fixed peace-loving stand to join in the international aspiration and efforts for total halt to the nuclear test and make positive contribution to building a nuclear free world. -0-
Footage of the opening and closing remarks
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Published on May 26, 2018 Arirang News: Footage of the opening and closing remarks were released this morning as well, showing the leaders of the two Koreas pledging to keep working to improve relations and meet more often.
The reason we have met suddenly today is because of the important content of the Panmunjom Declaration and the many agreements that were reached. We needed to discuss how to take thorough responsibility for it and carry it out.
It's not the first time you, President Moon, have come to the North. At the last inter-Korean summit, one of the most memorable scenes was when you came over the border for ten seconds.
It could be important to visit Pyongyang and have a proper reception, but also to show that the leaders of the two Korea's can meet easily, like this, at Panmunjom when necessary. I believe it can open a new era for inter-Korean relations.
We will do everything we can to reach a result. We also need to have a consensus with the U.S. and the international community to resolve the inter-Korean relationship. It is all connected.
After the April 27th inter-Korean summit, there were some difficulties in inter-Korean communications. There is also the very important North Korea-U.S. summit coming up. But I think this meeting was very meaningful in that we were able to demonstrate once again our intention to cooperate.
ROK President Moon Jae-in Remarks
Published on May 26, 2018 Arirang News: And this is President Moon's personal letter that he presented at the press briefing on Sunday
My fellow Koreans,
I have held a second inter-Korean summit with Chairman Kim Jong-un yesterday afternoon at Tongil-gak, the northern side of Panmunjom.
It has been just a month since our first summit on April 27 at the Peace House of Panmunjom.
At that summit, we two leaders had promised to informally meet anywhere, anytime to discuss core issues concerning our people when necessary.
Chairman Kim, last had delivered his wish to meet casually the evening before and I gladly accepted his invitation. I have for a long time underscored the communication method of regular meeting between the summits to resolve the inter-Korean conflict and discord, and my will has been well displayed at the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration.
My fellow Koreans,
We two leaders had a candid conversation ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit. Explaining the outcome of last weeks' summit with U.S. President Trump, I delivered the message that should Chairman Kim determine and carry out complete denuclearization, the U.S. has a clear will to end hostile relations with North Korea and for economic cooperation.
I also highlighted the need for sufficient preliminary talks at working-level talks between the two nations regarding the agenda that need to be agreed at the summit, especially since both Chairman Kim and President Trump genuinely want a successful North Korea-U.S. summit to take place.
Chairman Kim concurred with me on that.
Chairman Kim Jong-un once again made clear his willingness for complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, following the Panmunjom Declaration, and set forth his willingness to end the history of war and conflict as well as to cooperate for peace and prosperity through successful North Korea-U.S. summit.
We two leaders confirmed that the North Korea-U.S. summit should be held successfully and our journey to denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula cannot be stopped, and vowed to closely and mutually cooperate on that matter.
We also reaffirmed a prompt fulfilment of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration.
And for this, we agreed to hold an inter-Korean working-level talks on June 1 and to hold military official meeting to alleviate military tension and a consecutive Red Cross meeting for reunion of the separated families.
Both leaders agreed that the promptness and informality are the significance of this summit, and decided to hold phone talks or meet casually whenever needed in the future.
My fellow Koreans,
Looking back, we were always nervous. Fear over our national security penetrated not only our economy and diplomacy but also the daily lives of our people.
It was also the biggest reason that made our politics fall behind.
But now we are changing the stream of history.
We have turned the Pyeongchang Olympics into a Peace Olympics and created a new way of peace and prosperity at Panmunjom, which had been a symbol of tension and confrontation.
North Korea has demonstrated its determination by suspending its nuclear tests and missile launches and dismantling the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. This is a whole new beginning, not just another starting point of the past.
As each step becomes more difficult to take as one starts to see the peak of the mountain, the path to a complete denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula won't be easy.
But I, as president, will walk on that road with all of my rights and obligations given by the people, and will most definitely succeed. I hope you will join me.
Thank you.
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BREAKING NEWS - MAY 24, 2018:
ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE
President Trump Letter to DPRK Chairman Kim Jong Un
President Trump's 'dramatic and positive' achievement
According to the White House May 22nd, 2018: South Korean President Jae-in Moon visited the White House yesterday, speaking with President Trump about recent developments in North Korea. The US-South Korea bilateral comes weeks before President Trump's planned summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
"President Trump has been able to achieve this dramatic and positive change that you see right now," President Moon said. "There have been many agreements between the United States and North Korea previously, but this will be the first time that there will be an agreement between the leaders."
President Trump emphasized that next month's summit is contingent on North Korea's willingness to engage on key issues, including denuclearization. "There are certain conditions that we want, and I think we'll get those conditions. And if we don't, we don't have the meeting," President Trump said. "It has a chance to be a great, great meeting for North Korea and a great meeting for the world."
President Moon of the Republic of Korea Before Bilateral Meeting
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: May 22, 2018
Oval Office
12:06 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. It’s a great honor to have President Moon of South Korea with us. We’ve become great friends over the years. And it’s now — we’ve now known each other for quite some time.
We’re working on many things. Obviously, North Korea is the big one. No matter how big trade is, North Korea, in this case, is the big one. And we’ll be discussing that. We’ll also be discussing trade. We have a very big trade arrangement that we’re renegotiating right now with South Korea. They’ve been excellent people to work with for the Trump administration. And we will have some pretty good news, I think, on trade. And we’ll be discussing other things.
But the big topic will be Singapore and the meeting. See what happens, whether or not it happens. If it does, that will be great. It will be a great thing for North Korea. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. Whatever it is, it is.
But I look forward to spending quite a bit of time with the President. And I think a lot of good things will happen. I want to thank everybody for being here.
Mr. President, it’s a great honor. Thank you.
PRESIDENT MOON: (As interpreted.) Well, I’d like to thank you, Mr. President, for your warm hospitality and for sharing much of your time with me. I know you have a very busy domestic calendar, as well as the all-important U.S.-North Korea summit approaching.
I heard the tragic news that many innocent lives were lost due to the shootings in a Texas high school a few days ago. So I’d like to convey my condolences to you and the American people.
On a brighter note, I would like to congratulate you for the safe return of the American citizens who had been detained in North Korea. Thanks to your vision of achieving peace through strength, as well as your strong leadership, we’re looking forward to the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit. And we find ourselves standing one step closer to the dream of achieving complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and world peace.
All this was possible because of you, Mr. President. And I have no doubt that you will be able to complete — accomplish a historic feat that no one had been able to achieve in the decades past.
I have to say that the fate and the future of the Korean Peninsula hinge on this. And as such, I’ll spare no effort to the end to support the success of the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit, and stand with you all along the way, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much.
Q Mr. President, do you think President Kim is serious about denuclearization?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I do think he’s serious. I think he would like to see that happen. At the same time, he’s going into a future that’s different from what they’ve had. But I think he’s absolutely very serious. Yes.
Q Do you think the summit is going to happen?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: One second. Go ahead. Go ahead, John.
Q Can you give us an update, sir, just on where things stand with the summit? President Moon’s national security advisor, on the way here, seemed to think that things are on track and that this will indeed happen.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’re moving along. And we’ll see what happens. There are certain conditions that we want, and I think we’ll get those conditions. And if we don’t, we don’t have the meeting. And frankly, it has a chance to be a great, great meeting for North Korea and a great meeting for the world. If it doesn’t happen, maybe it will happen later. Maybe it will happen at a different time. But we will see.
But we are talking. The meeting is scheduled, as you know, on June 12th in Singapore. And whether or not it happens, you’ll be knowing pretty soon. But we’re talking right now.
Q Do you have an idea of how denuclearization would take place? Would it be all at once?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I do. I have a very strong idea how it takes place. And it must take place. That’s what we’re talking about. It must take place.
But I have a very strong idea, and I have very strong opinions on the subject. I also have very strong opinions that North Korea has a chance to be a great country, and it can’t be a great country under the circumstances that they’re living right now. But North Korea has a chance, really, to be a great country. And I think they should seize the opportunity. And we’ll soon find out whether or not they want to do that.
Yes.
Q Mr. President, have you spoken to Kim Jong-un?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I don’t want to say that. I don’t want —
Q Do you trust Kim Jong-un, going into these meetings?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: There’s no reason to discuss that. I can say this: That for a short period of time, we’ve been dealing with North Korea, and it’s been a, you know, good experience. We have three hostages back. They’re home. They’re living with their families. They’re very, very happy. And so I can only speak for a very short period of time. But it’s been a relationship that seems to be working, and we’ll see how long it continues to work. Hopefully it’s going to work for a long time.
Q Unrelated, Mr. President, can you tell us more about your meeting with Rod Rosenstein and Director Wray yesterday?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, it was just a very routine meeting. As you know, the Congress would like to see documents opened up. A lot of people are saying they had spies in my campaign. If they had spies in my campaign, that would be a disgrace to this country. That would be one of the biggest insults that anyone has ever seen, and it would be very illegal, aside from everything else. It would make, probably, every political event ever look like small potatoes.
So we want to make sure that there weren’t. I hope there weren’t, frankly. But some man got paid — based on what I read in the newspapers and on what you reported, some person got paid a lot of money. That’s not a normal situation, the kind of money you’re talking about. So hopefully that would be — and I think the Department of Justice wants to get down to it. And I can tell you Congress does.
So hopefully they’ll all be able to get together. General Kelly is going to be setting up a meeting between Congress and the various representatives, and they’ll be able to open up documents, take a look, and find out what happened. But if they had spies in my campaign, during my campaign, for political purposes, that would be unprecedented in the history of our country.
Yes.
Q Can you give us an update on trade talks with China? Is there a deal about ZTE?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No.
Q And what specifically have you agreed?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No. President Xi and I have a great relationship, as President Moon can attest. But there is no deal. We will see what happens. We are discussing deals. We’re discussing various deals. We can do a 301. We can do — where we don’t need China, where we can just say, look, this is what we want, this is what we think is fair. That’s always a possibility if a negotiated deal doesn’t work out.
As I said, we lost $500 billion a year for many years. And then it varied from $100 billion to $500 billion. When you’re losing $500 billion a year, you can’t lose in terms of a negotiation. It’s really easy to win. But I want this to be a great deal for the United States, and I want it to be a very good deal for China, too, if that’s possible. It may not be possible.
As far as ZTE is concerned, the President asked me to look into it, and I am doing that. And don’t forget, for the ones who say, oh, gee, maybe Trump is getting a little bit easy — ZTE, we closed it. It wasn’t another administration. It was this administration that closed it. It’s a phone company, for those that don’t know. A very large phone company. But it’s also a phone company that buys a large portion of its parts that make up these phones that are sold all over the world from American companies.
So when you do that, you’re really hurting American companies, also. So I’m looking at it. But we were the ones that closed it. It wasn’t done by previous administrations. It was done by us. So we’ll see what happens.
But as a favor to the President, I am absolutely taking a look at it. A lot of the stories on trade were incorrectly written, and I’m not saying that’s the reporter’s fault; I’m saying that I’m not talking about the trade deal. I don’t like to talk about deals until they’re done. So we’ll see what happens. But that deal — I will say, that deal could be much different from the deal that finally emerges. And it may be a much better deal for the United States.
Q Mr. President, do you have confidence in Rod Rosenstein?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: What’s your next question, please?
Q I’m a reporter from —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Excuse me, I have the President of South Korea here, okay?
Q Yes, I have a question on —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: He doesn’t want to hear these questions, if you don’t mind.
Q President Trump, I’m a reporter from South Korea. How much confidence and trust do you have in my President in playing the mediator role in resolving this North Korea issue and the denuclearization process?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I have great confidence in your President. I think that he’s brought a different perspective to the talks with North Korea. He wants to be able to make a deal. Now, you’ve had some very hardline administrations, and you have President Moon, and you’ve had others before President Moon, who also had more or less this attitude.
I think he’s a very capable person. I think he’s an extremely competent man. I think he’s a very good person. And I think he wants to have what’s good for the Korean Peninsula, not just North or South — for the entire Korean Peninsula.
So I have tremendous confidence in President Moon. And I think that his way — the way he is — really is helping us to potentially make a deal. Whether the deal gets made or not, who knows. It’s a deal. Who knows. You never know about deals. If you go into deals that are 100 percent certain, it doesn’t happen. If you go into deals that have no chance, and it happens, and sometimes happens easily. I’ve made a lot of deals. I know deals, I think, better than anybody knows deals. You never really know. And that’s why I say to you.
But I will tell you, this is a good man and he is a very capable man. And I think South Korea is very lucky to have him. Do you want to interpret that for him, so he can hear? Because, you know, he’s not hearing what we’re doing here. Go ahead.
Wait, we’ll just let that be interpreted.
Q He might surprise you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: He probably does. He probably knows better than we do.
Did I do a good job? (Laughter.) Huh? I can’t do better than that. That’s called an A-plus rating, right? I can’t do better —
Okay, we’ll take a couple more. Go ahead.
Q Mr. President, what are your conditions for meeting with Kim Jong-un? You said you had —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, I’d rather not say. But we are working on something. And, you know, there’s a chance that it will work out. There’s a chance; there’s a very substantial chance it won’t work out. I don’t want to waste a lot of time, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to waste a lot of time. So there’s a very substantial chance that it won’t work out, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean it won’t work out over a period of time. But it may not work out for June 12th. But there’s a good chance that we’ll have the meeting.
Q Mr. President, if I could ask you and President Moon this question. In terms of denuclearization, should it be an all-in-one? Or could it be incremental, with incentives along the way for Kim Jong-un to denuclearize?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, all in one would be nice, I can tell you. I’m not going to go beyond that. It would certainly be better if it were all in one. Does it have to be? I don’t think I want to totally commit myself. But all in one would be a lot better. Or at least for physical reasons, over a very short period of time. You know, you do have some physical reasons that it may not be able to do exactly that. So for physical reasons, over a very short period of time. Essentially, that would be all in one.
Q President Trump, I’m a reporter from South Korea. If North Korea and Kim Jong-un decide CVID, will you literally guarantee the safety of the regime of North Korea?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I will guarantee his safety. Yes, we will guarantee his safety. And we’ve talked about that from the beginning. He will be safe. He will be happy. His country will be rich. His country will be hardworking and very prosperous. They’re very great people. They’re hardworking, great people.
Look at what happened with South Korea. Don’t forget, we helped South Korea. We have spent trillions of dollars — not billions — trillions of dollars over many, many years. We helped South Korea. And South Korea is one of the most incredible countries in terms of what they do. You know that. That’s what you are. That’s where you’re from. Same people. Same people.
So, yeah, I think that he will be extremely happy if something works out. And if it doesn’t work out, honestly, he can’t be happy. But he has a chance to do something that maybe has never been done before. And I think it would be — if you look 25 years into the future, 50 years into the future, he will be able to look back and be very proud of what he did for North Korea and, actually, for the world. But he will be very proud of what he did for North Korea.
And just to finish that, because it’s a very important question, South Korea, China, and Japan — and I’ve spoken to all three — one I happen to have right here — they will be willing to help and, I believe, invest very, very large sums of money into helping to make North Korea great.
Q Mr. President, what do you want to hear from President Moon about his own summit with Kim Jong-un? What can he tell you as you’re preparing for the meeting in Singapore?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, that’s what we’re here for. He’s going to tell me. He’s got his own meetings that he’s had. We’re going to discuss that. He may have a meeting coming up; he may not. The word is that he may not. It may be directly with us. It may go directly to us in Singapore, or it may be at a later date. But that’s one of the reasons that he’s here, to talk about that.
Q Is there is anything you want to ask him specifically that you can tell us?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Nothing. No. We speak a lot on the phone. This should not be that long a meeting, actually.
Q You mean President Moon may have a meeting with Kim Jong-un instead of yourself?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: He may or may not. He may or may not. Right now he doesn’t know whether or not he has a meeting. But he may or may not have a meeting with Kim Jong-un.
Q Mr. President, are you pleased with how the trade talks with China went?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, not really. I think that they’re a start, but we need something — look, China has been — I really call it a dereliction of duties. That if you look at it — it’s called — in the military, they’d say it’s dereliction of duty. What happened to our country, that our representatives allowed other countries — and I’m not just talking about China; China is the big one — to take advantage of us on trade the way we’ve been taken advantage of. So China, as an example, has made a fortune. I mean, a transfer of wealth like nobody has ever seen in history. They’re the big one. They’re almost all bad, but China is the big one.
So, no, I’m not satisfied, but we’ll see what happens. We have a long way to go. But I wanted to go fairly quickly. You know, you’re talking about numbers like that; you’re talking about billions of dollars a week. Okay? So when they say, “Oh, let’s meet in a couple of weeks” — oh, that’s $2 billion, right? I view it that way. You know, we’re talking about billions of dollars a week that we suffer, we lose. And so we’re looking to go quickly.
I will say I’m a little disappointed, because when Kim Jong-un had the meeting with President Xi, in China, the second meeting — the first meeting we knew about — the second meeting — I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un. So I don’t like that. I don’t like that. I don’t like it from the standpoint of China.
Now, I hope that’s not true, because we have — I have a great relationship with President Xi. He’s a friend of mine. He likes me. I like him. We have — I mean, that was two of the great days of my life being in China. It was — I don’t think anybody has ever been treated better in China — ever in their history. And I just think it was — many of you were there — it was an incredible thing to witness and see. And we built a very good relationship. We speak a lot.
But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for. Okay? Because we paid for it.
Q Do you think China had a role in that?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: That was built in China.
Q Do you think China maybe discouraged Kim from having the summit?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, but I think that President Xi is a world-class poker player. And I’d probably, maybe, doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this: There was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I’m a little surprised. Now, maybe nothing happened. I’m not blaming anybody, but I’m just saying, maybe nothing happened and maybe it did.
But there was different attitude by the North Korean folks when — after that meeting. So I don’t think it was a great meeting. Nobody knew about the meeting, and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time. The first time everybody knew about. The second time it was like a surprise.
And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can’t say that I’m happy about it. Okay?
Now, President Moon may have a different opinion. I would like to have your opinion on that — what you thought of the second meeting with President Xi. What is your feeling? You may have an opinion.
And I don’t want to get him in trouble. He lives right next to China. You know, he’s not too far away.
PRESIDENT MOON: (As interpreted.) Well, first of all, I am very much aware that there are many skeptical views within the United States about whether the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit will truly be successful and whether the complete denuclearization of North Korea will be realized.
But I don’t think there will be positive developments in history if we just assume that because it all failed in the past, it will fail again.
There have been many agreements between the United States and North Korea previously, but this will be the first time that there will be an agreement between the leaders.
And, moreover, the person who is in charge is President Trump. And President Trump has been able to achieve this dramatic and positive change that you see right now. And I have every confidence that President Trump will be able to achieve a historic feat of making the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit successful and end the Korean War that had been lasting for the past 65 years, and also, along the way, achieve complete denuclearization of North Korea, establish a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, and also normalize relations between the United States and North Korea. I have every confidence that he will be able to make a historic turnaround in this sense. And I will spare no effort to provide all necessary support.
And I believe that all of this will lead to a great thing, that it will also guarantee the security of the North Korean regime, and also promise peace and prosperity for North Korea as well.
Q Mr. President, do you believe that President Xi is committed to peace and committed to North Korea’s denuclearization?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I would like to think so. I hope so. I mean, we’re dealing mostly on trade. But you see, when I’m dealing on trade, I have many other things in mind also. Every time I talk to China about trade, I’m thinking about the border. Because that border is a very important element in what we’re doing. It has been cut off largely, but it’s been opened up a little bit lately. I don’t like that. I don’t like that.
So we have a very powerful hand on trade. And when I’m thinking about trade –you know, I read you folks, and you say, “Well, why doesn’t he” — there’s a much bigger picture that I have in mind. Trade has always been a very important element in my life, in talking about other countries ripping off the United States. I’ve been watching them do it for 35 years. I’ve been watching them do that for so many years.
And nothing has changed, other than over the last 15, 20 years it’s gotten worse. And it’s not just China. But when I think of trade with China, I’m also thinking about what they’re doing to help us with peace with North Korea. That’s a very important element. So we’ll see how it all works out.
But in the end, it will work out. Can’t tell you exactly how or why, but it always does. It’s going to work out. Okay?
Thank you all. John, you have one more? Go ahead.
Q One more, sir. I’m just wondering, what is your vision for the long game with North Korea? Is it two Koreas peacefully coexisting? Or would you like to see reunification at some point down the road?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, I think what’s going to happen is you’ll start off, certainly, with two Koreas. And then it’s going to be largely up to them as to whether or not they get together. You know, that border was artificially imposed many, many years ago — and imposed, to a certain extent and to a very large extent, by us. It’s an artificial border, but it’s a border that nevertheless, it took seed, and that’s what you have.
I would say that we are looking, certainly, right now, at two Koreas. Two very successful Koreas. You’re going to have a very, very successful North Korea, and you’re going to have a very successful — and you already do — South Korea. I mean, South Korea was in condition that was as bad as North Korea many years ago, when they started this great experiment that worked out so well for them.
Now, you look at Samsung and LG, and the ships that they’re building, and what they’re doing. It’s incredible. When I was over there, I flew over plants that are incredible. What they have done is incredible. So I see two Koreas, and then ultimately, maybe someday in the future — it wouldn’t be now — but someday in the future, maybe they’ll get together and you’ll go back to one Korea. And that would be okay with me, too, as long as they both wanted that.
Okay? Thank you all very much. Thank you.
Yeah, go ahead.
Q You mentioned that you were looking into ZTE, as a favor to President Xi.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I am, yes.
Q How do you anticipate that ending up?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, again, ZTE buys a tremendous amount of equipment and parts for their telephones. They’re, as you know, the fourth largest in the world. And they buy them from American companies. So immediately, when I looked at it, it was my administration that closed them down. But when I looked at it, I said, “You know, they can pay a big price without necessarily damaging all of these American companies,” which they are, because, you know, you’re talking about tremendous amounts of money and jobs to American companies.
So I envision a very large fine. I envision, perhaps, new management, new board of directors, very tight security rules. But we caught them doing bad things. We caught them — not anybody else. We caught them doing bad things, and we essentially made it so difficult that it was shut down.
By shutting them down, we’re hurting a lot of American companies, really good American companies. Don’t — and I will tell you, don’t think that we didn’t hear from them by shutting down this massive phone company.
So what I envision is a very large fine of more than a billion dollars. Could be a billion-three. I envision a new management, a new board, and very, very strict security rules. And I also envision that they will have to buy a big percentage of their parts and equipment from American companies.
Okay? Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you.
Q (Speaks Korean.) (No translation provided.)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: He’s a friendly reporter. They’re friends. So let them — like you. Except he kills me. For a friendly reporter, he kills me.
PRESIDENT MOON: (Speaks Korean.) (No translation provided.)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: And I don’t have to hear the translation because I’m sure I’ve heard it before. (Laughter.)
Goodbye, everybody. Thank you.
END
12:42 P.M. EDT
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President Donald Trump dismisses 'Libya model' for North Korea's denuclearization
According to Aririnag News, Dated May 16th, 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out the so-called 'Libya model' for dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program, instead offering strong security guarantees to Pyongyang in return for its denuclearization.
He pledged that the U.S. would grant the North such a guarantee if a satisfactory deal is struck.
"But the model, if you look at that model with Gaddafi, that was a total decimation. We went in there to beat him. Now that model would take place if we don't make a deal, most likely. But if we make a deal, I think Kim Jong Un is going to be very, very happy."
The Libyan model, which has been pushed on U.S. news networks by President Trump's National Security Adviser, John Bolton, calls for a quick dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear program with no guarantee of benefits to the regime in the process.
Pushing back against Bolton's remarks, Trump insisted protection for Kim and his regime would be very strong if the regime fully denuclearizes.
"We're willing to do a lot. And he's willing to, I think, do a lot also. And I think we'll actually have a good relationship, assuming we have the meeting and assuming something comes of it. And he'll get protections that will be very strong."
With all signs pointing to Bolton's mentioning of the 'Libya model' being the reason behind North Korea's recent 180-degree turn, the White House has been stressing that's not the model they are incorporating, saying instead a "President Trump model" will be used.
Will Trump's security guarantee be enough to ensure North Korea falls back in line?
With the North Korea-U.S.summit set for June 12th in Singapore, the U.S. and South Korea certainly hope it will be.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
Dated May 16th, 2018, Breaking its day-long silence since North Korea abruptly called off a high-level dialogue within hours of the scheduled time and threatened to pull out of next month's historic summit between its leader
Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump South Korea's presidential Blue House says it will actively perform the role of a mediator to bridge the gap between the two as they appear to have "some difference in stance" ahead of their planned summit.
"The members of the National Security Council standing committee decided to closely coordinate through various channels between South Korea and the U.S. and South and North Korea so that the upcoming North Korea-U.S. summit will be held successfully in the manner of mutual respect."
President Moon is traveling to the U.S. next week for a bilateral summit with his U.S counterpart on the 22nd during which a Blue House official said the South Korean president plans to convey what he and his chief aides have discerned about Pyongyang's position and attitude and vice versa upon return from his U.S trip.
The Blue House and President Moon's key security officials do believe, however, that both North Korea and the U.S. are still serious and sincere about making the June 12th summit happen and
intends to continue discussions with North Korea to hold high-level talks that it cancelled on Wednesday.
"Members of the NSC standing committee reaffirmed their stance that the Panmunjom Declaration reached at the April 27 inter-Korea summit must be carried out without any disruption and agreed to continue consulting with the North to hold the high-level talks at an early date.
"As important and symbolic the April inter-Korean summit was to the South Korean president and his vision for peace on the Korean peninsula, the North Korea, U.S. summit is actually THE meeting where Mr. Moon has been placing his bet on in the grand denuclearization and peace building process on the peninsula.
So, it appears the president who pretty much laid the groundwork up until this point couldn't just step back and watch Pyongyang and Washington drift any further and away from such hard-won opportunity.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House."
Reporter :jenmoon@arirang.co.kr
Remarks
Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State
Benjamin Franklin Room
Washington, DC
May 11, 2018
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SECRETARY POMPEO: Good afternoon. It is my honor to welcome Foreign Minister Kang to Washington. It is important to meet with such a critical ally so early in my time as Secretary at this incredibly critical time as well. Our alliance with the Republic of Korea was forged in the crucible of war 65 years ago. Tens of thousands of Koreans and Americans sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom for South Korea.
In the years since, the citizens of South Korea took the hard-earned freedom and transformed their war-shattered country into an economic wonder. The Republic of Korea is now the 11th largest economy in the globe, the sixth largest trading partner of the United States, and a key force multiplier for U.S. leadership in the world. The U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance has been fortified by the trials of history and is unequivocally now stronger than ever. Over 28,500 men and women of the United States Forces Korea serve as the forward-deployed face of the ironclad U.S. commitment to the security of the Republic of Korea, its people, and indeed to the entire region.
The prospect of peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and across the Asia Pacific region is why we have stood shoulder to shoulder for more than six decades. Just yesterday, I returned from Pyongyang, where I had productive discussions with Chairman Kim Jong-un in preparation for President Trump’s summit with him. It was an honor as one of my first actions as Secretary of State to negotiate the safe return of three U.S. citizens and bring them home to freedom. We wish these Americans and their families the best as they reconnect after a very difficult time apart. On behalf of the American people, we say welcome home.
The release of these three citizens helps set the conditions for a successful meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim. We look forward to our continued preparations with the DPRK to make the summit in Singapore on June 12th a true success for the American and Korean people and for the world. I congratulate South Korea and North Korea on their historic meeting last month. The United States is encouraged by President Moon and Chairman Kim’s stated goal of complete denuclearization in the Panmunjom declaration.
Today, Foreign Minister Kang and I discussed the summit, my trip to North Korea, and the bold step President Trump is about to take when he meets with Chairman Kim. We would not be where we are today without the close and coordinated leadership of Presidents Trump and Moon. The United States and the Republic of Korea remain committed to achieving the permanent, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. If Chairman Kim chooses the right path, there is a future brimming with peace and prosperity for the North Korea – North Korean people. America’s track record of support for the Korean people is second to none.
If North Korea takes bold action to quickly denuclearize, the United States is prepared to work with North Korea to achieve prosperity on the par with our South Korean friends. The United States looks forward to continued close cooperation with our South Korean allies on this issue and many others.
Foreign Minister, thank you for being with me today. It was a pleasure to work with you.
FOREIGN MINISTER KANG: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary, for the very warm welcome. Let me reiterate my congratulations on your becoming the top diplomat of the United States at this historic moment. Secretary Pompeo, you have already been at the center of our joint efforts on North Korea, and I very much look forward to working closely with you.
We spoke on April 28th right after the momentous inter-Korean summit, and today we met just after Secretary Pompeo’s return from Pyongyang. During our meeting, I congratulated him and President Trump for the successful release of the three U.S. citizens, all Korean Americans, from North Korea. This is a promising signal for the upcoming summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim.
Over the past weeks, both Korea and the United States have been engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts regarding North Korea, and we briefed each other on the latest endeavors, including Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Pyongyang and the Korea-Japan-China trilateral summit in Tokyo, which adopted a special statement welcoming the outcome of the South-North Korean summit and expressing the strong hopes for the success of the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit. In this context, Secretary Pompeo and I discussed preparations for the summit meeting between President Trump and Chairman Kim in Singapore on June 12th. We agreed that the summit would be a historic opportunity for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and securing enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula. We reaffirmed that our goal is to achieve the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
In this regard, Secretary Pompeo and I agreed the next few weeks will be critical, requiring air-tight coordination between our two countries. As announced, President Moon will visit Washington, D.C. soon to meet with President Trump. The close communication and trust between Presidents Trump and Moon have been the driving force that has brought us to this point of breakthrough for the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. So their meeting on the 22nd will be instrumental in preparing for a successful U.S.-North Korea summit.
Secretary Pompeo and I reaffirmed that the ROK-U.S. alliance, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, has long served as the linchpin for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. We also reaffirmed that for the last 65 years, the USFK, the United States Forces in Korea, has played a crucial role for deterrence and peace and stability of the region, and we would like to emphasize again that the U.S. military presence in Korea is a matter for the ROK-U.S. alliance first and foremost.
After today’s meeting, I am even more confident that our alliance is as robust as ever and that there is no daylight in our cooperation on the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Once again, I would like to thank Secretary Pompeo for today’s fruitful discussions and look forward to building a close working partnership relationship with him. And in addition to the upcoming summit meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 22nd, I hope to see him again in Seoul and reciprocate the hospitality very soon. Thank you very much.
MS NAUERT: Thank you. And we have time for two questions total. The first goes to Rich Edson from Fox News Channel. Rich.
QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. You just mentioned and have mentioned before, as have the South Koreans, that you are looking for permanent, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization. How does the United States specifically define that? Is it inspections, full facility dismantling? Is it more than that, less than that? And also, you have had more substantive conversations with Kim Jong-un than arguably any other Westerner. What is your impression of him? Do you think he’s rational? And simply, what’s it like to talk to him?
And to the foreign minister, are South Korea and regional allies discussing providing any sanctions relief to North Korea before the summit between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, and what kind of outcome does South Korea need to secure its security, and does that include the maintenance of current U.S. military assets in the region? Thank you very much.
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I have spent more time with Chairman Kim other than perhaps President Moon working on this incredibly important challenge that lays before the world. President Trump and the world have set the conditions for a successful outcome from June 12th and the activities that are necessary to follow there from. You asked about my conversations with Chairman Kim. This question is sort of undignified, “Is he rational?” Yes, we had good conversations, substantive conversations, conversations that involve deep, complex problems, challenges the strategic decision that Chairman Kim has before him about how it is he wishes to proceed and if he is prepared in exchange for the assurances that we’re ready to provide to him if he is prepared to fully denuclearize. And I’m not sure how to define it fully.
It’s pretty clear what that means. It would be an activity that undertook to ensure that we didn’t end up in the same place that we’d ended up before, or multiple passes at trying to solve this conundrum for the world, how to ensure that North Korea doesn’t possess the capacity to threaten not only the United States but the world with nuclear weapons. And so in order to achieve that, it will require a robust verification program and one that we will undertake with partners around the world, which will achieve that outcome in a way that frankly no agreement before it has ever set forth. A big undertaking for sure, but one that Chairman Kim and I had the opportunity to have a good, sound discussion on so that I think we have a pretty good understanding between our two countries about what the shared objectives are.
QUESTION: What’s he like?
SECRETARY POMPEO: I’m sorry.
QUESTION: What’s he like?
SECRETARY POMPEO: We had good conversations. There – it was – there’s some videos that have been released. You can see our conversations were warm. We were each representing our two countries, trying our best to make sure that we were communicating clearly, that we had a shared understanding about what our mutual objectives were. But we had good conversations about the histories of our two nations, the challenges that we’ve had between us. We talked about the fact that America has often in history had adversaries who we are now close partners with, and our hope that we could achieve the same with respect to North Korea.
MS NAUERT: All right. Thank you, Rich. Our next question goes to Yonhap News Agency.
FOREIGN MINISTER KANG: Could I just --
MS NAUERT: Oh, pardon me.
FOREIGN MINISTER KANG: -- answer that --
MS NAUERT: Yes.
FOREIGN MINISTER KANG: I think your question about sanctions relief, I think we were very clear that the sanctions remain in place until and unless we see visible, meaningful action taken by North Korea on the denuclearization track. The North Korean leader has committed to denuclearization, and formally so through the Panmunjom Declaration. We very much hope to see further steps, more concrete steps towards denuclearization being produced at the U.S.-North Korea summit. So we’re not talking about sanctions relief at this point.
Your question about what are we looking in terms of for our own security, we are confident of our security through the Korea-U.S. joint security stance, which is why we say the issue of the alliance – any issue of the alliance, including the troop presence in our country, is a matter for our two allies to discuss and not to be put on the table with North Korea.
MS NAUERT: Okay. And our next question goes to Yonhap, to Mr. Lee Seungwoo.
QUESTION: Hello, Secretaries.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Hi.
QUESTION: So I have two questions for each of you. So --
MS NAUERT: We only have time for one, please. Thank you.
QUESTION: Oh, yeah. One for --
MS NAUERT: Yes, one.
QUESTION: Okay. So one for our Minister Kang. Can I say in Korean?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Sure.
FOREIGN MINISTER KANG: Sure.
QUESTION: (Via interpreter) Recently, there was a talk that possibly USFK can be reduced. Was it discussed in your bilateral talks today? And when President Moon visits Washington D.C. before the Pyongyang and Washington, D.C. talks, what kind of coordination did you make in the run-up to this upcoming discussion between Pyongyang and Washington, D.C.?
(In English) (Inaudible) Pyonyang and (inaudible) Kim Jong-un, and our historic summit between President Trump and Kim is fully set up. However, the key issue is dismantling North Korea’s WMD. And I guess there’s a quite a big gap between U.S. and north standpoint. So did you actually discuss the issue with Kim, with – this issue with Kim? And have you two narrowed the differences? And do you think he’s willing to give up his WMD? Thank you.
FOREIGN MINISTER KANG: (Via interpreter) So there was no talk about reducing USFK at all. If there was any talk about USFK, it was only about how solid our alliance is, and any issue, any discussion about USFK or alliance should be discussed as such, between our two nations which are in alliance, and not in North Korea and U.S. talks, which was confirmed by Secretary Pompeo. And May 22nd is the day when U.S. President, the South Korean president will meet again. And along the way, President Trump and President Moon have a close relationship and trust with each other, and it played a key role. So in the run-up to the North Korea and the U.S. summit, discussion between the two leaders will play a key role in preparing and setting the tone for the talks. So we are making our best effort to best prepare for this summit.
SECRETARY POMPEO: Your question was about were details discussed. We had quite a conversation about it. I’m not going to share that here; we’re not going to negotiate the details of the agreement in this setting. We’ll do it in conversations between our leaders and our working teams that are hard at preparing for the summit. I am confident that we have a shared understanding of the outcome that the leaders want – certainly Presidents Trump and – President Trump and Chairman Kim, but I think President Moon as well. I think we have a shared vision for what we hope, when this process is completed, the Korean Peninsula looks like. I think we have a good understanding, and I think there is complete agreement about what the ultimate objectives are.
We began to work through the modalities, how we would achieve that, but I’ll leave conversations about that to another time. So thank you for your question.
MS NAUERT: Thank you, everyone. Have a great afternoon.
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President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Welcome the Three American Returnees
May 10, 2018
The White House:
Earlier this morning
President Donald J. Trump welcomed home three American returnees from North Korea. “They are really three incredible people,” the President said from Joint Base Andrews. “And the fact that we were able to get them out so soon was really a tribute to a lot of things, including a certain process that's taking place right now.”
In another major step, President Trump announced minutes ago that he will meet with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12. victory for the world
At 2:26 a.m. ET, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived at Joint Base Andrews, bringing home three Americans who had been held in North Korea. Upon initial examination, the three appeared to be in good physical condition and were able to walk on the plane without assistance. President Trump was there to greet them.
“This is a proud and memorable moment for America,” Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement. “Our Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did a remarkable job overseeing the release of Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim, and Kim Hak Song – and to them I say: safe travels and welcome home.”
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- Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (CNN): Under an American flag and dark night sky, US President Donald Trump personally welcomed home three American detainees Thursday morning after they were released from North Korea.
The Americans -- Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk, also known as Tony Kim -- were freed Wednesday while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on a visit to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to discuss President Trump's upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
No family members or friends of the three freed Americans were on hand for their arrival in the early hours of Thursday due to protocol reasons, an official told CNN, adding the men had to first debrief intelligence officials before heading to their homes.
Speaking to the media on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base, Kim Dong Chul said his release felt "like a dream."
"We are very, very happy," said Kim.
Trump: 'Nice' of Kim JongUn to release men
President Trump, who was accompanied by his wife Melania, told waiting reporters it was "nice" of the North Korean leader to release the three men ahead of their planned summit.
"Frankly we didn't think this was going to happen ... it's a very important thing to all of us to be able to get these three great people out," he said.
Trump also said he wanted to pay his "warmest respects" to the family of Otto Warmbier, the American who was released by the North Koreans in a vegetative state, only to die days later.
After their meeting with Trump, the three men were expected to go to the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland for further evaluation and medical treatment, according to White House Press Secretary Lindsay Walters.
After addressing the return of the three American detainees, Trump was asked about the prospects of making a deal with the North Korean leader.
"I really think he wants to do something and bring his country into the real world," Trump said.
"I think this will be a very big success. It's never been taken this far, there's never been a relationship like this." Trump has previously said the release of the three men was part of working towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Some great things can happen, and that's what we hope," he added.
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence were also on hand to welcome the three men home.
Joking with reporters, Trump said the three men's arrivals had probably broken "the all time in history television rating for three in the morning." The US President had earlier said on his Twitter it would be "quite a scene" when the detainees arrived in Washington.
Detainees still in North Korean custody
Rumors had swirled for days around the possibility North Korea might release the three Americans ahead of the summit, especially once Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang was revealed.
Trump had demurred on how likely their return was, telling reporters on Tuesday "we'll all soon be finding out." "It would be a great thing if they are," he added.
The three former detainees issued a joint statement on Wednesday thanking Trump for their release. "We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the people of the United States for bringing us home," the trio said.
While both South Korea and Japan welcomed the news of the Americans' release, the two countries are still waiting for word on their own citizens held or abducted by North Korea.
In a statement Wednesday, South Korean government spokesman Yoon Young-chan called again for Kim JongUn to release the six South Koreans still held by the North.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly pushed for Trump to raise the issue of repeated abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea in his upcoming meeting with Kim JongUn. More than a dozen abductees still remain missing, according to the Japanese government.
Meeting planned for Singapore
CNN reported Wednesday that administration officials have been instructed to move forward with plans to convene that meeting in Singapore, according to two people familiar with the plans.
Trump said on Wednesday he would announce the location and the timing of the summit in three days time, after repeatedly teasing the meeting date had been set. The two leaders are expected to meet sometime in June.
It will be the first meeting ever between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader, with both men meeting to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Other locations had been under discussion, including Mongolia and the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ), but experts said Singapore's neutral but opulent setting was likely to work in its favor.
It comes less than two months after a historic summit between Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 in the DMZ, where Kim became the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since 1953.
The White House Wednesday said they viewed the action to release the Americans as a "gesture of good will."
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Remarks by President Trump on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: May 8, 2018
Diplomatic Reception Room
2:13 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans: Today, I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terror. It exports dangerous missiles, fuels conflicts across the Middle East, and supports terrorist proxies and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al Qaeda.
Over the years, Iran and its proxies have bombed American embassies and military installations, murdered hundreds of American servicemembers, and kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured American citizens. The Iranian regime has funded its long reign of chaos and terror by plundering the wealth of its own people.
No action taken by the regime has been more dangerous than its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means of delivering them.
In 2015, the previous administration joined with other nations in a deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program. This agreement was known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.
In theory, the so-called “Iran deal” was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime. In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and, over time, reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.
The deal lifted crippling economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for very weak limits on the regime’s nuclear activity, and no limits at all on its other malign behavior, including its sinister activities in Syria, Yemen, and other places all around the world.
In other words, at the point when the United States had maximum leverage, this disastrous deal gave this regime — and it’s a regime of great terror — many billions of dollars, some of it in actual cash — a great embarrassment to me as a citizen and to all citizens of the United States.
A constructive deal could easily have been struck at the time, but it wasn’t. At the heart of the Iran deal was a giant fiction that a murderous regime desired only a peaceful nuclear energy program.
Today, we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Last week, Israel published intelligence documents long concealed by Iran, conclusively showing the Iranian regime and its history of pursuing nuclear weapons.
The fact is this was a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didn’t bring calm, it didn’t bring peace, and it never will.
In the years since the deal was reached, Iran’s military budget has grown by almost 40 percent, while its economy is doing very badly. After the sanctions were lifted, the dictatorship used its new funds to build nuclear-capable missiles, support terrorism, and cause havoc throughout the Middle East and beyond.
The agreement was so poorly negotiated that even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time. The deal’s sunset provisions are totally unacceptable. If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Everyone would want their weapons ready by the time Iran had theirs.
Making matters worse, the deal’s inspection provisions lack adequate mechanisms to prevent, detect, and punish cheating, and don’t even have the unqualified right to inspect many important locations, including military facilities.
Not only does the deal fail to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but it also fails to address the regime’s development of ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads.
Finally, the deal does nothing to constrain Iran’s destabilizing activities, including its support for terrorism. Since the agreement, Iran’s bloody ambitions have grown only more brazen.
In light of these glaring flaws, I announced last October that the Iran deal must either be renegotiated or terminated.
Three months later, on January 12th, I repeated these conditions. I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement.
Over the past few months, we have engaged extensively with our allies and partners around the world, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We have also consulted with our friends from across the Middle East. We are unified in our understanding of the threat and in our conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
After these consultations, it is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement.
The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In just a short period of time, the world’s leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapons.
Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.
In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States.
America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants “Death to America” to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth.
Today’s action sends a critical message: The United States no longer makes empty threats. When I make promises, I keep them. In fact, at this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. Plans are being made. Relationships are building. Hopefully, a deal will happen and, with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, a future of great prosperity and security can be achieved for everyone.
As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Iran’s ballistic missile program; to stop its terrorist activities worldwide; and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. In the meantime, powerful sanctions will go into full effect. If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before.
Finally, I want to deliver a message to the long-suffering people of Iran: The people of America stand with you. It has now been almost 40 years since this dictatorship seized power and took a proud nation hostage. Most of Iran’s 80 million citizens have sadly never known an Iran that prospered in peace with its neighbors and commanded the admiration of the world.
But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the rightful heirs to a rich culture and an ancient land. And they deserve a nation that does justice to their dreams, honor to their history, and glory to God.
Iran’s leaders will naturally say that they refuse to negotiate a new deal; they refuse. And that’s fine. I’d probably say the same thing if I was in their position. But the fact is they are going to want to make a new and lasting deal, one that benefits all of Iran and the Iranian people. When they do, I am ready, willing, and able.
Great things can happen for Iran, and great things can happen for the peace and stability that we all want in the Middle East.
There has been enough suffering, death, and destruction. Let it end now.
Thank you. God bless you. Thank you.
(The presidential memorandum is signed.)
Q Mr. President, how does this make America safer? How does this make America safer?
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. This will make America much safer. Thank you very much.
Q Is Secretary Pompeo bringing the detainees home?
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Secretary Pompeo is, right now, going to North Korea. He will be there very shortly in a matter of virtual — probably an hour. He’s got meetings set up. We have our meeting scheduled. We have our meeting set. The location is picked — the time and the date. Everything is picked. And we look forward to having a very great success.
We think relationships are building with North Korea. We’ll see how it all works out. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea, Japan and the entire world. We hope it all works out.
Thank you very much.
Q Are the Americans being freed?
Q Are the Americans coming home, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: We’ll all soon be finding out. We will soon be finding out. It would be a great thing if they are. We’ll soon be finding out. Thank you very much.
END
2:25 P.M. EDT8
Breaking News - STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: May 4, 2018
President Donald J. Trump will welcome President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to the White House on May 22, 2018. This third summit between the two leaders affirms the enduring strength of the United States–Republic of Korea alliance and the deep friendship between our two countries. President Trump and President Moon will continue their close coordination on developments regarding the Korean Peninsula following the April 27 inter-Korean Summit. The two leaders also will discuss President Trump’s upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
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Readout of Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs John R. Bolton’s Meeting with National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong of the Republic of Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: May 4, 2018
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs John R. Bolton met with National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong of the Republic of Korea on May 4, 2018. Ambassador Chung provided Ambassador Bolton with a detailed readout of President Moon Jae-in’s April 27 Summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. They discussed President Trump’s upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and agreed to maintain frequent communication in the coming weeks. Ambassador Bolton and Ambassador Chung also noted that the close coordination between the White House and Blue House on their respective engagements with North Korea reflects the strength of the United States–Republic of Korea Alliance. The two ambassadors reaffirmed that there are no plans to change the United States–Republic of Korea bilateral defense posture in the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Bolton and Ambassador Chung started preparations for President Moon’s visit to the White House on May 22, 2018.
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According to Ariring News Reporter, dated May 6th, 2018, Cha Sang-mi reported that The date and location of the historic summit between North Korea and the United States are finally set, but they haven't been officially announced.
Local media outlets in South Korea are speculating that it's likely to take place in June rather than in May and in Singapore and not in the the truce village of Panmunjom where the inter-Korean summit took place.
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Meanwhile, North Korea's foreign ministry sent a warning to Washington to stop its sanctions and military threats against the regime.
Cha Sang-mi reports. Reports say the first ever meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader is likely to take place in June in Singapore. Citing multiple diplomatic sources in Washington, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday that Singapore is the strongest candidate to host the Pyongyang-Washington summit despite President Trump expressing a preference for meeting in the demilitarized zone at the so-called truce village of Panmunjom, the place where the inter-Korean summit took place less than ten days ago. The report added that while the exact timing is still not clear, it seems to have been pushed back to early June before Trump visits Canada for the G-7 summit on June 8th and 9th. This comes after President Trump said both on Friday and Saturday that the date and location of his summit with Kim Jong-un have been set, though he has still not said when or where.
The White House has announced that Trump will host his South Korean counterpart, President Moon Jae-in, at the White House on May 22nd before the North Korea summit.
It said they will "continue their close coordination on developments regarding the Korean Peninsula."
Meanwhile, in an interview with North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, the regime's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday that the United States is keeping up its sanctions and pressure on the regime in the name of human rights, as well as threatening it militarily.
The spokesperson said Washington was mistaking what he called North Korea's "peace-loving gesture" in coming to talks as "weakness," and said continuing to threaten and put pressure on the regime would not solve any problems.
This is the first time North Korea has officially criticized the U.S. since the two sides decided to hold talks.
However, VOA NEWS,REUTERS,NHK NEWS, Youtupe Mania reported Breaking News - N. Korea Warns U.S. Not To Provoke Militarily Ahead Of The Summit Published on May 6, 2018
North Korea has criticized the US and Japan for using pressure to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the remark via state-run media on Sunday. The US administration has said it will maintain a policy of maximum pressure on North Korea until the country takes concrete measures for denuclearization.
North Korea announced DPRK Nuclear Test Freeze on April 21st, 2018 but, KCNA reported full South and North Inter Summit on April 27th, 2018. Although there was a Press conference for submission of a formal petition to include the North Korean Human Rights issue as an agenda before the summits which was hosted by Defectors and about 30 other North Korean Human Rights NGOs including Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea (LHUK, Rep. Kim Tae-hoon on March 22nd, 2018 at 11:00 AM)
;
Therefore, together with NGOs for North Kroean Human Rights, North Korean defectors in the South and other patrotic citizens formally submitted a written petition to the Blue House based on the Korean Constitution Article 26, The Petition Law and the North Korean Human Rights Law to include the Issue of the North Korean Human Rights as an agenda as the coming South NOrth summit meeting and they also filed a request to meet tithe Mr. Yim Jong Seok, who is the chief of the presidential staff, as well as the chair person of the preparatory conmmittee for the summit talk, and they also digitally filed a petition with the releveant website of the presidential office. Ref: wikipedia.
This is a list of foreign nationals who have been detained in North Korea. Excluded from the list are any persons who were detained while on active military duty and held as prisoners of war or military defectors. Also excluded are people abducted in other countries and brought into North Korea.
Terminology
South Korean abductees by North Korea are categorized into two groups, wartime abductees and postwar abductees.
Wartime abductees : Koreans from the south who were kidnapped to the north against their wishes during the 1950–53 Korean War and died there or are still being detained in North Korea are called wartime abductees or Korean War abductees. Most of them were already educated or skilled, such as politicians, government officials, scholars, educators, doctors, judicial officials, journalists, or businessmen. According to testimonies by remaining family members, most abductions were carried out by North Korean soldiers who had specific names and identification in hand when they showed up at people's homes. This is an indication that the abductions were carried out intentionally and in an organized manner.
Postwar abductees: South Koreans who were kidnapped by North Korean agents in the South Korean territory or foreign countries after the armistice was signed in 1953 are known as postwar abductees. Most of them were captured while fishing near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), but some were abducted by North Korean agents in South Korea. North Korea continued to abduct South Koreans into the 2000s, as is shown by the cases of reverend, Kim Dongsik (Korean: 김동식), who was abducted on January 16, 2000, and Jin Gyeong-suk (Korean: 진경숙), a North Korean defector to South Korea who was abducted on August 8, 2004, when she had returned to the China-North Korea border region using her South Korean passport.
North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens
The abductions of Japanese citizens from Japan by agents of the North Korean government took place during a period of six years from 1977 to 1983. Although only 17 Japanese (eight men and nine women) are officially recognized by the Japanese government as having been abducted, there may have been hundreds of victims. The North Korean government has officially admitted to abducting 13 Japanese citizens.
There are testimonies that many non-Japanese citizens, including nine European citizens have been abducted by North Korea.
Breaking News -As soon as Trump Remarks done for Secretary of State, Pompeo, "Pompeo says North Korea must denuclearize"
May 2nd, 2018
Remarks by President Trump at
Swearing- In Ceremony of Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State
May 2nd, 2018
l consequences on Russia for its acts of aggression. And we will soon move our embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, years ahead of schedule. (Applause.)
We are bringing fairness and reciprocity to our economic relationship with China, and protecting our intellectual property from them as well. (Applause.)
And we saw, in your meetings last week with President Macron and Chancellor Merkel, we continue to uphold strength in our time-honored alliances.
But there’s one more thing. Right now, we have an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of history on the Korean Peninsula. I underscore the word “opportunity.” We’re in the beginning stages of the work, and the outcome is certainly yet unknown. But one thing is certain: This administration will not repeat the mistakes of the past. Our eyes are wide open. It’s time to solve this once and for all. A bad deal is not an option. The American people are counting on us to get this right.
We are committed to the permanent, verifiable, irreversible dismantling of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction program, and to do so without delay.
To my colleagues here, when I say we’re going to do this, I mean “we.” This is a team effort at the State Department and the whole of the United States government.
Mr. President, when you offered me the job to be the Director of CIA, I was honored to lead the world’s finest intelligence corps, and I am incredibly honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead the world’s finest diplomatic corps now. (Applause.)
Mr. President, you read one of — a great quote from the greatest President ever from Kansas. (Laughter.) It was a historic quote, but frankly, things haven’t changed much since then. I’ve been an Army officer, a congressman, the Director of the CIA, now here at State. We have much to do. But in every position I’ve had, I’ve witnessed the skills, expertise, and patriotism of our foreign affairs professionals, whether civil servants or Foreign Service Officers, political appointees or locally employed staff, you all lay it on the line to make sure that America is safe and prosperous and free. Thank you for that. (Applause.)
As I’ve said, and I’ll elaborate more, I want the State Department to get its swagger back. (Laughter.) We need our men and women out at the frontlines, executing American diplomacy with great vigor and energy, and to represent the finest nation in the history of civilization. We should be proud of that, and I’m counting on you all to help communicate in every corner of the world.
Mr. President, I have full confidence that my team here in Washington and around the world under your leadership can and will execute that mission for the benefit of the American people. And I’m eager to work with you all to get that job done.
You all know this is essential work. That’s why you’re here. It’s why I’m here. I look forward to doing this together. Thank you all so much for the warm welcome I have received in these first days. I can’t wait to get after this with you. Thank you again, Mr. President, for your trust and your leadership and your faith in me. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
11:52 A.M. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP, Reuters) — President Donald Trump is trying to hit reset at the State Department on the eve of a critical decision on the Iran nuclear deal and a potential summit with North Korean leader Kim JongUn.
Trump made his first visit to the department on Wednesday for the ceremonial swearing-in of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, highlighting his relationship with the head of a Cabinet agency he largely neglected during the tenure of Rex Tillerson. The former Exxon Mobil CEO was unceremoniously dumped by Trump as the top U.S. diplomat in March after months of personality and policy clashes.
Tillerson felt undercut in the job and was viewed overseas as an unreliable emissary for the mercurial Trump. Tillerson went unmentioned during Wednesday’s brief ceremony, but Pompeo’s contrasting status was on full display. The former CIA director is personally close to the president and gained stature abroad after his secret visit to North Korea last month to meet with Kim.
“That’s more spirit than I’ve heard from the State Department in a long time,” Trump said as he took the podium to applause from the crowd on ornate seventh floor.
It was a tacit acknowledgement that department morale had suffered under Tillerson, who undertook an unpopular restructuring of the department before he was fired. Pompeo has repeatedly promised to reinvigorate the department.
“I want the State Department to get its swagger back,” he said.
Trump’s visit put a spotlight on his close ties with Pompeo. Tillerson and Trump rarely saw eye to eye on policy, and Trump felt little chemistry with the fellow former business executive.
After a heated debate at the Pentagon over Afghanistan policy last summer, Tillerson reportedly called Trump a “moron” to other officials — and the revelation of the comment in the media irreparably damaged his rapport with the president.
Pompeo, by contrast, developed a strong relationship with Trump in large part through his regular attendance at the president’s daily intelligence briefing at the White House. Trump developed a personal liking for Pompeo during the 2016 campaign, when the then-GOP congressman from Kansas was one of his earliest Washington endorsers.
Pompeo was the top graduate of his West Point class and an Army tank officer, and his credentials and blunt demeanor fit the mold for a top national security aide in Trump’s mind, White House officials said.
At the CIA, Pompeo oversaw a secret back channel to the North Korean government, and on April 1, weeks after his State Department nomination, Pompeo made a secret trip to Pyongyang to meet with Kim in advance of a potential meeting with Trump.
“Right now we have unprecedented opportunity to change the course of history on the Korean Peninsula,” Pompeo said Wednesday, as Trump and Kim move closer to finalizing details on a summit.
Trump has been particularly disdainful of the work done by the State Department during the Obama administration. He has savaged the Iran nuclear deal, which was largely negotiated by former Secretary of State John Kerry, and is expected to pull out of the agreement later this month.
Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, another Kerry achievement. And Trump routinely excoriated Hillary Clinton and the department she led for her use of a private email server and the response to the 2012 attack on U.S. facilities In Benghazi, Libya.
Trump’s scorn has continued in office. Trump’s budget proposals have sought to slash the department’s funding by some 30 percent and reduce its ranks. Many officials were shocked and saddened when the president, with Tillerson at his side last year, thanked Russia for expelling U.S. diplomats because it would save money. The White House later said Trump had been joking.
The department has many vacancies at senior positions and has reduced the intake of new diplomats since Trump took office. Although he has complained about the slow pace of Senate confirmations for ambassadorial and senior posts, Trump has not yet formally nominated people for numerous top positions, only three of nine of which are currently occupied.
Pompeo was confirmed last Thursday, and was officially sworn-in hours later by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito before he embarked on his first foreign trip as secretary.
Breaking News - U.S. Sends Ultimatum To N.Korea "Show US The Concrete Actions"
April 28th, 2018
Arirang News, Youtube Mania : VOA NEWS, REUTERS: A historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in ended with a joint commitment toward denuclearization and peace in the Korean Peninsula. Youtibe Mania stated that A historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in ended with a joint commitment toward denuclearization and peace in the Korean Peninsula.
During the Remarks by President Trump Welcoming the U.S. Olympic Team on April 27, 2018 President Trump have stated that On the occasion of this week’s meeting between President Moon and Kim Jong-un, I want to express my hope that all of the people of Korea — North Korea and South — can someday live in harmony, prosperity, and peace. And it looks like it could happen. When I began, people were saying that was an impossibility. They said there were two alternatives: Let them have what they have or go to war. And now we have a much better alternative than anybody thought even possible.
President Trump also stated that "I will meeting with Kim Jong-un in the coming weeks as we seek to denuclearize the North Korean area and the entire Korean Peninsula. Hopefully, the day will come when Olympic athletes can compete on a Korean Peninsula that is free of nuclear weapons, and where all Koreans can live together and can share their dreams. It would be a wonderful thing to do. Throughout the 2018 Winter Games, Team USA achieved many historic milestones. With us today are many of these incredible athletes. And they are incredible."
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump have spoken with ROK President Moon Jae-in on April 27, 2018 to discuss the April 27 meeting between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and appreciated his coordination of upcoming summit.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Moon Jae-In of the Republic of Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 28, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to discuss the April 27 meeting between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. President Trump thanked President Moon for the close coordination between the Republic of Korea and the United States in the lead-up to his meeting, and committed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks. The two leaders agreed that the unprecedented pressure applied by the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the international community through the global Maximum Pressure Campaign has led to this significant moment. President Trump and President Moon emphasized that a peaceful and prosperous future for North Korea is contingent upon its complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 28, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The leaders affirmed their commitment to achieving the permanent and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea and to continuing their close coordination in advance of talks between the United States and North Korea. They also reiterated the need for North Korea to abandon all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Finally, President Trump noted that he will urge North Korea to promptly resolve its abductions of Japanese citizens.
end main
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from Vice President Mike Pence on the Inter-Korean Summit
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 27, 2018
The fact that North Korea has come to the table without the United States making any concessions speaks to the strength of President Trump’s leadership and is a clear sign that the intense pressure of sanctions is working. The Korean peace agreement is a step toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but it is just one step. Any talks, promises, and assurances from North Korea will be met with reservation, vigilance, and verification. Planning for the United States and North Korea Summit continues, but as we’ve said before – the pressure campaign will continue unabated.
WTAS: Support For The Confirmation Of Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo
Issued on: April 27, 2018
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA): “From North Korea’s nuclear threats to Iran’s aggression, Mike’s confirmation as Secretary of State comes at a critical time for U.S. foreign policy. In times such as these, it’s clear that we need a stronger, more vibrant State Department to work with and lead our other national security agencies. I’m confident Secretary Pompeo will steer the Department in the right direction, and I look forward to partnering with him to advance America’s interests overseas.”
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Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA): “I’m pleased the Senate has confirmed Mike Pompeo to lead the State Department, where he will have an important opportunity to bolster U.S. diplomatic leadership, provide purposeful direction for the department, and boost the morale of our dedicated Foreign Service officers… Given his experiences as CIA director, Mike Pompeo possesses critical knowledge of how to best leverage our assets at a significant moment in history, especially as our country continues to face threats from North Korea.”
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Sen. David Perdue (R-GA): “Mike Pompeo is highly qualified and will make our country proud as Secretary of State. Through years of service to our country, he has gained a deep understanding of the complex threats we face across the globe. President Trump is coming up on a critical meeting with North Korea and will need top-notch counsel as he tackles the challenges presented by ISIS, Iran, and our multifaceted relationships with China and Russia. Mike Pompeo is the right man for the job. President Trump and the American people will be well-served with him as our chief diplomat.”
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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL): “I applaud today’s Senate confirmation of Director Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State. Based on his experience as CIA Director, an Army officer, a congressman, and his proven leadership on national security matters, he is eminently qualified to serve as our nation’s top diplomat. It is a shame that his nomination encountered partisan headwinds at a time when the U.S. and our allies face mounting national security threats. I look forward to working him and I am confident that he will successfully advance U.S. interests abroad, including the promotion of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): “In a time when we are facing serious international challenges, from Russian meddling, to North Korean saber-rattling, to an increasingly assertive China, it is essential that the President have a qualified Secretary of State who he trusts on the job. Mike Pompeo unquestionably understands the international challenges we face and is more than capable of doing the job. When I talk to our allies, they are anxious to see him on the job.”
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary on the Inter-Korean Summit
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 26, 2018
On the occasion of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, we wish the Korean people well. We are hopeful that talks will achieve progress toward a future of peace and prosperity for the entire Korean Peninsula. The United States appreciates the close coordination with our ally, the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to continuing robust discussions in preparation for the planned meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks.
Arirang News Lee Ji-won, Arirang News: Dated April 27, 2018
Leaders of S. Korea, N. Korea announce joint declaration that includes complete denuclearization of Korean Peninsula
The pressure and work-related stress was palpable in the summit press center, but there was also laughter and overwhelming emotions.
"It was a mixed atmosphere. I noticed that everybody is busy and exhausted in someway but still everyone is excited to witness this historic event in a way."
Other than the actual summit talks, the two leaders did a lot of activities together, and even surprised many with off the script gestures.
"I think everyone would agree that the first moment they met was the most impressive. It's the first time a North Korean leader crossed the border since the Korean War, AND on top of their unprecedented meeting, President Moon stepped on to the North's soil simply after a quick chat with Kim Jong-un. That shows how close and near the two Koreas actually are."
"When they walked on that bridge and sat down, this was probably a moment they would name in history. When you saw the faces, they were really serious. They had something to talk about. Usually summits are just more or less pleasantries because everything has been decided in advance, but during that time they talked about something that is not clear yet for both."
Kim Jong-un's smiles and small chats with President Moon also gave viewers an opportunity to appreciate a never before seen aspect of the North Korean leader.
"He's got a sense of humor. I think his attitude is very active, or aggressive in a way but not so offensive so it was a surprise to me. I heard that he is strong and determined, not in a kind way. For me, this summit really changed my opinion on him."
Those who covered previous inter-Korean summits say the atmosphere between the leaders was much softer this time.
"The atmosphere was certainly different. I think nowadays, there is much more trust. President Moon has four more years in office, this is a good point. He has time to implement what has been decided at this summit."
But in terms of creating a new image for Kim on the international stage, some say there's still much do be done.
"Kim gave off a positive image through the summit, but honestly, he wasn't really trusted by the international community until now. So it will take more time and effort to change his image. But I do think it will get better from now on."
"Though perspectives on the 2018 Inter-Korean summit varied from individual to individual, the general consensus among this international pool of journalists seems to be that the summit was a success. Lee Ji-won, Arirang News."
U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States wants to see concrete actions from North Korea
Sources: FAS (Federation of American Scientists), Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, CNN, Fox, web archive. google, War and S tate Terrorism, 38 North, Washington Post, nukestarat.com, BBC, AFP IAEA, Newyork times, UN, Fox news, ABC News, Reuters, Yahoo. Wikipedia, Youtube DOD news, RT, News Trust, Bing, Yonhap News, USA Today, Satellite, Earthquake-Report, Google, Moxnews
April 24, 2018 Is DPRK Planning to Distory Existing Nuclear Warheads?
Upcoming summit expects to have Denuclearization is main focus with the around the world reporters at the KINTEX exhibition hall in Goyang, north of the capital Seoul, Arirang News Lee Ji-won, Arirang News reports that
Countless reporters and news studios are set up, all to deliver the unprecedented meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas. And our Lee Ji-won,... covered a lot of ground while in the huge venue.
She spoke to some of the reporters and news editors from various media around the world, for their perspective on this historic event. "With the world's spotlight this week on Friday's inter-Korean summit, hundreds of reporters and media crews from around the globe have gathered at the official summit press center in Goyang, northwest of Seoul."
Compared to the two previous inter-Korean summits where just over 1-thousand reporters registered, the third historic meeting has over 28-hundred press members signed up, from 360 media companies and 41 countries. From live connections every hour,... to stories, speculation and analysis on the summit, reporters are busy delivering the latest on the meeting. "Our newspaper for today filled one whole side with stories on this summit. 6 articles were posted, including stories on the route to be taken by the two leaders, what to expect from the summit, and even stories on this press center." Though reporters each have different points of view, many say the key issue to watch out for during Friday's summit is denuclearization. "You know were this happening at any other time, or were Kim Jong-un not going to meet President Trump, I think the two Koreas could focus on things that have short term relevance. But now I think what the top agenda needs to be is getting Kim Jong-un on paper, committing to denuclearization and committing to talks on denuclearization."
And it seems North Korea's increased nuclear threat and the high tensions on the peninsula last year grabbed more global media attention for this summit. "I think at least at the last summit, North Korea was certainly not as big of an international story as it is now. They hadn't demonstrated their ability to hit the United States with their long range missiles, now it has done all those things."
Many have also pointed out that improving inter-Korean ties is also an important issue. "Certainly the peace and the denuclearization. Whoever has family relations with North Koreans or vice versa, they can meet each other. The demilitarized zone, which is considered as the most sensitive borders in the world, should move back and people should come forward to meet each other."
And with so much at stake, the world will soon find out whether the solutions to these issues can be agreed upon during the summit on Friday.
North Korea has a militarynuclear weapons program, and also has a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons. As of 2003 North Korea is no longer a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The country has come under sanctions after conducting a number of nuclear tests, beginning in 2006.
The Korean Central News Agency claims that the "U.S. has long posed nuclear threats to the DPRK" and "the U.S. was seized by a foolish ambition to bring down the DPRK", so it "needed a countermeasure". North Korea has been suspected of maintaining a clandestine nuclear weapons development program since the early 1980s, when it constructed a plutonium-producing Magnoxnuclear reactor at Yongbyon. Various diplomatic means have been used by the international community to attempt to limit North Korea's nuclear program to peaceful power generation and to encourage North Korea to participate in international treaties.
In May 1992, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) first inspection in North Korea uncovered discrepancies suggesting that the country had reprocessed more plutonium than declared. IAEA requested access to additional information and access to two nuclear waste sites at Yongbyon. North Korea rejected the IAEA request and announced on March 12, 1993, an intention to withdraw from the NPT.
In 1994, North Korea pledged, under the Agreed Framework with the United States, to freeze its plutonium programs and dismantle all its nuclear weapons programs in return for the normalization of diplomatic relations and several kinds of assistance, including resources for alternative energy supplies.
By 2002, the United States believed North Korea was pursuing both uranium enrichment technology and plutonium reprocessing technologies in defiance of the Agreed Framework. North Korea reportedly told American diplomats in private that they were in possession of nuclear weapons, citing American failures to uphold their own end of the Agreed Framework as a motivating force. North Korea later "clarified" that it did not possess weapons yet, but that it had "a right" to possess them, despite the Agreed Framework. In late 2002 and early 2003, North Korea began to take steps to eject International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors while re-routing spent fuel rods to be used for plutonium reprocessing for weapons purposes. As late as the end of 2003, North Korea claimed that it would freeze its nuclear program in exchange for additional American concessions, but a final agreement was not reached. North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003.
Facilities
The major installations include all aspects of a Magnoxnuclear reactor fuel cycle, based on the use of natural uranium fuel:
• a fuel fabrication plant,
• a 5 MWe experimental reactor producing power and district heating,
• a short-term spent fuel storage facility,
• a fuel reprocessing facility that recovers uranium and plutonium from spent fuel using the PUREX process.
Magnox spent fuel is not designed for long-term storage as both the casing and uranium metal core react with water; it is designed to be reprocessed within a few years of removal from a reactor. As a carbon dioxide cooled, graphitemoderatedMagnox reactor does not require difficult-to-produce enriched uranium fuel or a heavy water moderator it is an attractive choice for a wholly indigenous nuclear reactor development.
The Magnox facilities were disabled in 2007 in accord with the six-party talks agreement, but following the breakdown of that agreement were partially re-enabled in 2009 to reprocess existing stocks of spent fuel. On 15 September 2015, North Korea announced that the reactor had resumed operation.
The center also has an IRT-2000 pool-type research reactor, supplied by the Soviet Union in 1963, operational since 1965. The reactor fuel is IRT-2M type assemblies of 36% and 80% highly enriched uranium. As the center has not received fresh fuel since Soviet times, this reactor is now only run occasionally to produce iodine-131 for thyroid cancerradiation therapy.
In 2009 the building of a small indigenous experimental light water reactor started. In 2010 a uranium enrichment plant began operating.
The North Korean nuclear program can roughly be divided into four phases.
Phase I (1956–80) dealt primarily with training and gaining basic knowledge.
Phase II (1980–94) covers the growth and eventual suspension of North Korea's domestic plutonium production program.
Phase III (1994–2002) covers the period of the "freeze" on North Korea's plutonium program (though North Korea pursued uranium enrichment in secret) and
Phase IV (2002–present) covers the current period of renewed nuclear activities.
Timeline of the North Korean nuclear program
Phase I
1956: The Soviet Union begins training North Korean scientists and engineers, giving them "basic knowledge" to initiate a nuclear program.
1958: The U.S. deploys nuclear armed Honest John missiles and 280 mm atomic cannons to South Korea.
1959: North Korea and the USSR sign a nuclear cooperation agreement.
1962: The Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center opens.
1965: The Yongbyon IRT-2000 research reactor reaches a power rating of 2 MW.
1974: The Yongbyon IRT-2000 research reactor reaches a power rating of 4 MW.
Between the late 1970s and early 1980s North Korea begins uranium mining operations at various locations near Sunchon and Pyongsan.
Phase II
1980–1985: North Korea builds a factory at Yongbyon to refine yellowcake and produce fuel for reactors.
1984: The DPRK completes construction of a "Radiochemical laboratory", which is actually a reprocessing plant used to separate plutonium from spent nuclear fuel at the Yongbyon site.
1984–1986: North Korea completes construction on a 5 MWe gas-cooled, graphite-moderated nuclear reactor for plutonium production. North Korea also commences with the construction of a second 50 MWe nuclear reactor.
1987: The Yongbyon IRT-2000 research reactor reaches a power rating of 8 MW.
1989: Soviet control of communist governments throughout Europe begins to weaken, and the Cold War comes to a close. Post-Soviet states emerge in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. As the USSR's power declines, North Korea loses the security guarantees and economic support that had sustained it for 45 years.
Through satellite photos, the U.S. learns of new construction at a nuclear complex near the North Korean town of Yongbyon. U.S. intelligence analysts suspect that North Korea, which had signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1985 but had not yet allowed inspections of its nuclear facilities, is in the early stages of building a nuclear bomb.
In response, the U.S. pursues a strategy in which North Korea's full compliance with the NPT would lead to progress on other diplomatic issues, such as the normalization of relations.
December 1990: North Korea conducts 70–80 high-explosives tests at its Yongbyon facility.
1991: The U.S. withdrew its last nuclear weapons from South Korea in December 1991, though U.S. affirmation of this action was not clear, resulting in rumors persisting that nuclear weapons remained in South Korea. The U.S. had deployed nuclear weapons in South Korea since January 1958, peaking in number at about 950 warheads in 1967.
1992: In May, for the first time, North Korea allows a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Agency inspection finds inconsistencies with North Korea declarations. Hans Blix, head of the IAEA, and the U.S. suspect that North Korea is secretly using its five-megawatt reactor and reprocessing facility at Yongbyon to turn spent fuel into weapons-grade plutonium. Before leaving, Blix arranges for fully equipped inspection teams to follow.
The inspections do not go well. Over the next several months, the North Koreans repeatedly block inspectors from visiting two of Yongbyon's suspected nuclear waste sites, and IAEA inspectors find evidence that the country is not revealing the full extent of its plutonium production.
1993: In March, North Korea threatens to withdraw from the NPT. Facing heavy domestic pressure from Republicans who oppose negotiations with North Korea, President Bill Clinton appoints Robert Gallucci to start a new round of negotiations. After 89 days, North Korea announces it has suspended its withdrawal. (The NPT requires three months notice before a country can withdraw.)
In December, IAEA Director-General Blix announces that the agency can no longer provide "any meaningful assurances" that North Korea is not producing nuclear weapons.
12 October 1994: the United States and North Korea signed the "Agreed Framework": North Korea agreed to freeze its plutonium production program in exchange for fuel oil, economic cooperation, and the construction of two modern light-water nuclear power plants. Eventually, North Korea's existing nuclear facilities were to be dismantled, and the spent reactor fuel taken out of the country.
26 October 1994: IAEA Chairman Hans Blix tells the British House of Commons'Foreign Affairs Select Committee the IAEA is "not very happy" with the Agreed Framework because it gives North Korea too much time to begin complying with the inspections regime.
Phase III
18 March 1996: Hans Blix tells the IAEA's Board of Governors North Korea has still not made its initial declaration of the amount of plutonium they possess, as required under the Agreed Framework, and warned that without the declaration IAEA would lose the ability to verify North Korea was not using its plutonium to develop weapons.
October 1997: spent nuclear fuel rods were encased in steel containers, under IAEA inspection.
31 August 1998: North Korea launched a Paektusan-1 space launch vehicle in a launch attempt of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1satellite. U.S. military analysts suspect satellite launch is a ruse for the testing of an ICBM. This missile flew over Japan causing the Japanese government to retract 1 billion in aid for two civilian light-water reactors.
2002
29 January: U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush in his State of the Union Address named North Korea as part of the axis of evil, aiming to threaten the peace of the world and posing a grave danger.
7 August: "First Concrete" pouring at the construction site of the light-water nuclear power plants being built by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization under the 1994 Agreed Framework. Construction of both reactors was many years behind the agreement's target completion date of 2003.
17 September: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi becomes the first Japanese prime minister to visit Pyongyang, making a number of political and cooperative offers.
3–5 October: On a visit to the North Korean capital Pyongyang, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly presses the North on suspicions that it is continuing to pursue a nuclear energy and missiles programme. Mr Kelly says he has evidence of a secret uranium-enriching program carried out in defiance of the 1994 Agreed Framework. Under this deal, North Korea agreed to forsake nuclear ambitions in return for the construction of two safer light water nuclear power reactors and oil shipments from the US.
16 October: The US announces that North Korea admitted in their talks to a "clandestine nuclear-weapons" program.
17 October: Initially the North appears conciliatory. Leader Kim Jong-il says he will allow international weapons inspectors to check that nuclear facilities are out of use.
20 October: North-South Korea talks in Pyongyang are undermined by the North's nuclear program "admission". US Secretary of State Colin Powell says further US aid to North Korea is now in doubt. The North adopts a mercurial stance, at one moment defiantly defending its "right" to weapons development and at the next offering to halt nuclear program in return for aid and the signing of a non-aggression pact with the US. It argues that the US has not kept to its side of the Agreed Framework, as the construction of the light water reactors—due to be completed in 2003—is now years behind schedule.
14 November: US President George W Bush declares November oil shipments to the North will be the last if the North does not agree to put a halt to its weapons ambitions.
18 November: Confusion clouds a statement by North Korea in which it initially appears to acknowledge having nuclear weapons. A key Korean phrase understood to mean the North does have nuclear weapons could have been mistaken for the phrase "entitled to have", Seoul says.
27 November: The North accuses the US of deliberately misinterpreting its contested statement, twisting an assertion of its "right" to possess weapons into an "admission" of possession.
December: South Korean presidential election. The Grand National Party, who opposed the Sunshine Policy, made much of the North Korean situation, although it eventually lost the election.
4 December: The North rejects a call to open its nuclear facilities to inspection.
11 December: North Korean-made Scud missiles are found aboard a ship bound for Yemen. The US illegally detains the ship, but is later forced to allow the ship to go, conceding that neither country has broken any law.
12 December: The North pledges to reactivate nuclear facilities for energy generation, saying the Americans' decision to halt oil shipments leaves it with no choice. It claims the US wrecked the 1994 pact.
13 December: North Korea asks the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to remove seals and surveillance equipment – the IAEA's "eyes and ears" on the North's nuclear status—from its Yongbyon power plant.
22 December: The North begins removing monitoring devices from the Yongbyon plant.
24 December: North Korea begins repairs at the Yongbyon plant. North-South Korea talks over reopening road and rail border links, which have been struggling on despite the increased tension, finally stall.
25 December: It emerges that North Korea had begun shipping fuel rods to the Yongbyon plant which could be used to produce plutonium.
26 December: The IAEA expresses concern in the light of UN confirmation that 1,000 fuel rods have been moved to the Yongbyon reactor.
27 December: North Korea says it is expelling the two IAEA nuclear inspectors from the country. It also says it is planning to reopen a reprocessing plant, which could start producing weapons grade plutonium within months.
Phase IV
2003
2 January: South Korea asks China to use its influence with North Korea to try to reduce tension over the nuclear issue, and two days later Russia offers to press Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme.
6 January: The IAEA passes a resolution demanding that North Korea readmit UN inspectors and abandon its secret nuclear weapons programme "within weeks", or face possible action by the UN Security Council.
7 January: The US says it is "willing to talk to North Korea about how it meets its obligations to the international community". But it "will not provide quid pro quos to North Korea to live up to its existing obligations".
9 January: North Korea sends diplomats to meet with New MexicogovernorBill Richardson about the nuclear crisis;North Korea also agrees to hold cabinet-level talks with South Korea on 21 January.
10 January: North Korea announces it will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
20 January: US Secretary of State Colin Powell calls on the IAEA to refer the North Korean nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council for resolution.
21 January: Diplomatic talks commence between cabinet-level officials from both North Korea and South Korea; the North is represented by Kim Ryong Song.
24 January: Cabinet-level talks between North and South Korea end without making progress.South Korean President-elect Roh Moo-hyun proposes face-to-face meeting with Kim Jong-il.
28 January: In his annual State of the Union address, President Bush alleges North Korea is "an oppressive regime [whose] people live in fear and starvation". He accuses North Korea of deception over its nuclear ambitions and says "America and the world will not be blackmailed".
29 January: North Korea says President Bush's speech is an "undisguised declaration of aggression to topple the DPRK system" and dubs him a "shameless charlatan". At the same time, however, it reiterates its demand for bilateral talks on a non-aggression pact.
31 January: Unnamed American officials are quoted as saying that spy satellites have tracked movement at the Yongbyon plant throughout January, prompting fears that North Korea is trying to reprocess plutonium for nuclear bombs.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer delivers a stern warning that North Korea must not take "yet another provocative action... intended to intimidate and blackmail the international community".
4 February: The United States says it is considering new military deployments in the Pacific Ocean to back up its forces in South Korea, as a deterrent against any North Korean aggression that might arise in the event that the US initiated a new military campaign in Iraq.
5 February: North Korea says it has reactivated its nuclear facilities and their operations are now going ahead "on a normal footing".
6 February: North Korea warns the United States that any decision to build up its troops in the region could lead the North to make a pre-emptive attack on American forces.
12 February: The IAEA finds North Korea in breach of nuclear safeguards and refers the matter to the UN security council.
16 February: Kim Jong-il celebrates his 61st birthday, but state media warns North Korean citizens to be on "high alert".
17 February: The US and South Korea announce that they will hold joint military exercises in March.
24 February: North Korea fires a missile into the sea between South Korea and Japan.
25 February: Roh Moo-hyun sworn in as South Korean president.
2 March: Four North Korean fighter jets intercept a US reconnaissance plane in international air space and shadow it for 22 minutes.
10 March: North Korea fires a second missile into the sea between South Korea and Japan in as many weeks.
22 March: As a blistering bombing campaign pounds the Iraqi capital, and South Korean and US forces perform military exercises on its doorstep, a jumpy North denounces their "confrontational posture" and calls off talks with the South.1
1 April: The US announces that "stealth" fighters sent to South Korea for a training exercise are to stay on once the exercises end.
7 April: Ministerial talks between North and South Korea are cancelled after Pyongyang fails to confirm they would take place.
9 April: The United Nations Security Council expresses concern about North Korea's nuclear programme, but fails to condemn Pyongyang for pulling out of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
12 April: In a surprise move, North Korea signals it may be ready to end its insistence on direct talks with the US, announcing that "if the US is ready to make a bold switchover in its Korea policy for a settlement of the nuclear issue, [North Korea] will not stick to any particular dialogue format".
18 April: North Korea announces that it has started reprocessing its spent fuel rods. The statement is later amended to read that Pyongyang has been "successfully going forward to reprocess" the rods.
23 April: Talks begin in Beijing between the US and North Korea, hosted by China. The talks are led by the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian affairs, James Kelly, and the deputy director general of North Korea's American Affairs Bureau, Li Gun.
24 April: American officials say Pyongyang has told them that it now has nuclear weapons, after the first direct talks for months between the US and North Korea in Beijing end a day early.
25 April: Talks end amid mutual recrimination, after the US says North Korea had made its first admission that it possessed nuclear weapons.
28 April: US Secretary of State Colin Powell says North Korea made an offer to US officials, during the talks in Beijing, to scrap its nuclear programme in exchange for major concessions from the United States. He does not specify what those concessions are, but reports say that Pyongyang wants normalised relations with the US and economic assistance. Mr Powell says Washington is studying the offer.
5 May: North Korea demands the US respond to what it terms the "bold proposal" it made during the Beijing talks.
12 May: North Korea says it is scrapping a 1992 agreement with the South to keep the peninsula free from nuclear weapons – Pyongyang's last remaining international agreement on non-proliferation.
15 May: South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun meets US President George W Bush in Washington for talks on how to handle North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
2 June: A visiting delegation of US congressmen led by Curt Weldon says North Korean officials admitted the country had nuclear weapons and had "just about completed" reprocessing 8,000 spent fuel rods which would allow it to build more.
9 June: North Korea says publicly that it will build a nuclear deterrent, "unless the US gives up its hostile policy".
13 June: South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says North Korean officials told the US on 30 June that it had completed reprocessing the fuel rods.
18 June: North Korea says it will "put further spurs to increasing its nuclear deterrent force for self-defence".
9 July: South Korea's spy agency says North Korea has started reprocessing a "small number" of the 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods at Yongbyon.
1 August: North Korea agrees to six-way talks on its nuclear programme, South Korea confirms. The US, Japan, China and Russia will also be involved.
27–29 August: Six-nation talks in Beijing on North Korea's nuclear programme. The meeting fails to bridge the gap between Washington and Pyongyang. Delegates agree to meet again.
2 October: North Korea announces publicly it has reprocessed the spent fuel rods.
16 October: North Korea says it will "physically display" its nuclear deterrent.
30 October: North Korea agrees to resume talks on the nuclear crisis, after saying it is prepared to consider the US offer of a security guarantee in return for ending its nuclear programme.
21 November: Kedo, the international consortium formed to build 'tamper-proof' nuclear power plants in North Korea, decides to suspend the project.
9 December: North Korea offers to "freeze" its nuclear programme in return for a list of concessions from the US. It says that unless Washington agrees, it will not take part in further talks. The US rejects North Korea's offer. President George W Bush says Pyongyang must dismantle the programme altogether.
27 December: North Korea says it will take part in a new round of six-party talks on its nuclear programme in early 2004.
2004
2 January: South Korea confirms that the North has agreed to allow a group of US experts, including a top nuclear scientist, visit Yongbyon nuclear facility.
10 January: The unofficial US team visits the North's "nuclear deterrent" facility at Yongbyon.
22 January: US nuclear scientist Siegfried Hecker tells Congress that the delegates visiting Yongbyon were shown what appeared to be weapons-grade plutonium, but he did not see any evidence of a nuclear bomb.
3 February: North Korea reports that the next round of six-party talks on the nuclear crisis will be held on 25 February.
25 February: Second round of six nation talks end without breakthrough in Beijing.
23 May: The UN atomic agency is reported to be investigating allegations that North Korea secretly sent uranium to Libya when Tripoli was trying to develop nuclear weapons.
23 June: Third round of six nation talks held in Beijing, with the US making a new offer to allow North Korea fuel aid if it freezes then dismantles its nuclear programmes.
2 July: US Secretary of State Colin Powell meets the North Korean Foreign Minister, Paek Nam-sun, in the highest-level talks between the two countries since the crisis erupted.
24 July: North Korea rejects US suggestions that it follow Libya's lead and give up its nuclear ambitions, calling the US proposal a daydream.
3 August: North Korea is in the process of developing a new missile system for ships or submarines, according to a report in Jane's Defence Weekly.
23 August: North Korea describes US President George W Bush as an "imbecile" and a "tyrant that puts Hitler in the shade", in response to comments President Bush made describing the North's Kim Jong-il as a "tyrant".
12 September: Clinton Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright admits North Korean "cheating" on the Agreed Framework occurred during the "Clinton Watch."[1]
28 September: North Korea says it has turned plutonium from 8,000 spent fuel rods into nuclear weapons. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Su-hon said the weapons were needed for "self-defence" against "US nuclear threat".
2005
14 January: North Korea says it is willing to restart stalled talks on its nuclear programme, according to the official KCNA news agency. The statement says North Korea "would not stand against the US but respect and treat it as a friend unless the latter slanders the former's system and interferes in its internal affairs".
19 January: Condoleezza Rice, President George W Bush's nominee as secretary of state, identifies North Korea as one of six "outposts of tyranny" where the US must help bring freedom.
10 February: North Korea says it is suspending its participation in the talks over its nuclear programme for an "indefinite period", blaming the Bush administration's intention to "antagonise, isolate and stifle it at any cost". The statement also repeats North Korea's assertion to have built nuclear weapons for self-defence.
18 April: South Korea says North Korea has shut down its Yongbyon reactor, a move which could allow it to extract more fuel for nuclear weapons.
1 May: North Korea fires a short-range missile into the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea), on the eve of a meeting of members of the international Non-Proliferation Treaty.
11 May: North Korea says it has completed extraction of spent fuel rods from Yongbyon, as part of plans to "increase its nuclear arsenal".
16 May: North and South Korea hold their first talks in 10 months, with the North seeking fertilizer for its troubled agriculture sector.
25 May: The US suspends efforts to recover the remains of missing US servicemen in North Korea, saying restrictions placed on its work were too great.
7 June: China's envoy to the UN says he expects North Korea to rejoin the six-nation talks "in the next few weeks".
22 June: North Korea requests more food aid from the South during ministerial talks in Seoul, the first for a year.
9 July: North Korea says it will rejoin nuclear talks, as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begins a tour of the region.
12 July: South Korea offers the North huge amounts of electricity as an incentive to end its nuclear weapons programme.
25 July: Fourth round of six-nation talks begins in Beijing.
7 August: The talks reach deadlock and a recess is called.
13 September: Talks resume. North Korea requests the building of the light-water reactors promised in the Agreed Framework, but the U.S. refuses, prompting warnings of a "standoff" between the parties.
19 September: In what is initially hailed as an historic joint statement, North Korea agrees to give up all its nuclear activities and rejoin the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the US says it had no intention of attacking.
20 September: North Korea says it will not scrap its nuclear programme until it is given a civilian nuclear reactor, undermining the joint statement and throwing further talks into doubt.
7 December: A senior US diplomat brands North Korea a "criminal regime" involved in arms sales, drug trafficking and currency forgery.
20 December: North Korea says it intends to resume building nuclear reactors, because the US had pulled out of a key deal to build it two new reactors.
2006
Main article: 2006 North Korean nuclear test
12 April: A two-day meeting aimed at persuading North Korea to return to talks on its nuclear program fails to resolve the deadlock.
26 June: A report by the Institute for Science and International Security estimates that current North Korea plutonium stockpiles is sufficient for four to thirteen nuclear weapons.
3 July: Washington dismisses a threat by North Korea that it will launch a nuclear strike against the US in the event of an American attack, as a White House spokesman described the threat as "deeply hypothetical".
4 July: North Korea test-fires at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2, despite repeated warnings from the international community.
5 July: North Korea test-fires a seventh missile, despite international condemnation of its earlier launches.
6 July: North Korea announces it would continue to launch missiles, as well as "stronger steps", if other countries were to apply additional pressure as a result of the latest missile launches, claiming it to be their sovereign right to carry out these tests. A US television network also reports that they have quoted intelligence sources in saying that North Korea is readying another Taepodong-2 long-range missile for launch.
3 October: North Korea announces plans to test a nuclear weapon in the future, blaming "hostile US policy". Their full text can be read at BBC News.
5 October: A US envoy directly threatens North Korea as to the upcoming test, stating "It (North Korea) can have a future or it can have these (nuclear) weapons, it cannot have them both." The envoy also mentions that any attempt to test a nuclear device would be seen as a "highly provocative act".
6 October: The United Nations Security Council issues a statement declaring, "The Security Council urges the DPRK not to undertake such a test and to refrain from any action that might aggravate tension, to work on the resolution of non-proliferation concerns and to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through political and diplomatic efforts. Later in the day, there are unconfirmed reports of the North Korean government successfully testing a nuclear bomb."
9 October: North Korea announces that it has performed its first-ever nuclear weapon test. The country's official Korean Central News Agency said the test was performed successfully, and there was no radioactive leakage from the site. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the test was conducted at 10:36 a.m. (01:36 GMT) in Hwaderi near Kilju city, citing defense officials. The USGS detected an earthquake with a preliminary estimated magnitude of 4.2 at 41.311°N, 129.114°E . The USGS coordinate indicates that the location in much north of Hwaderi, near the upper stream of Oran-chon, 17 km NNW of Punggye-Yok, according to analysts reports. In an interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, former Secretary of StateJames Baker let it slip that North Korea “ had a rudimentary nuclear weapon way back in the days when I was Secretary of State, but now this is a more advanced one evidently.” He was Secretary of State between 1989 and 1992.
10 October: Some western scientists had doubts as to whether the nuclear weapon test that took place on 9 October 2006 was in fact successful. The scientists cite that the measurements recorded only showed an explosion equivalent to 500 metric tons of TNT, as compared to the 1998 nuclear tests that India and Pakistan conducted which were 24–50 times more powerful.This could indicate that the test resulted in a fizzle. Some also speculated that the test may be a ruse using conventional explosives and nuclear material.
14 October: The United Nations Security Council passed U.N. Resolution 1718, imposing sanctions on North Korea for its announced nuclear test on 9 October 2006 that include largely symbolic steps to hit the North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, a reiteration of financial sanctions that were already in place, as well as keeping luxury goods away from its leaders, for example French wines and spirits or jet skis. However, the sanctions do not have the full support of China and Russia. The resolution was pushed in large part by the administration of George W. Bush, whose party at the time was engaged in an important mid-term election.
27 October: Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, based upon U.S. intelligence, announces, "We reached the conclusion that the probability that North Korea conducted a nuclear test is extremely high."[45] He continued on to admit that Japanese aircraft could not confirm the U.S. and South Korean reports.
18 December: The six-party talks resume in what is known as the fifth round, second phase. After a week of negotiations, the parties managed to reaffirm the 19 September declaration, as well as reiterate their parties' stances. For more information, see six-party talks.
2007
13 January: North Korean official Song Il-ho was reported to have told his Japanese counterpart Taku Yamasaki that whether the North Koreans conduct a second nuclear test depends on "US actions in the future".[46]
16 January: In-between-round talks between North Korea and the US are held in Berlin, Germany. Certain areas of agreement have been reached, as confirmed by both sides. North Korea claims these were bilateral negotiations; the US claims these "set the groundwork for the next round of six-party talks".[46]
26 January: On 26 January 2007, Russian chief negotiator Alexander Losyukov told reporters that the third phase was most likely to take place in late January or early February 2007, most likely 5–8 February 2007, before the Lunar New Year.[47]
10 February: Reports emanating from Washington suggest that the CIA reports in 2002 that North Korea was developing uranium enrichment technology overstated or misread the intelligence. U.S. officials are no longer making this a major issue in the six-party talks.
13 February: The fifth round of the six-party talks conclude with an agreement. Pyongyang promises to shut down the Yongbyon reactor in exchange for 50,000 metric tons of fuel aid, with more to follow upon verification that the site has been permanently disabled. IAEA inspectors will be re-admitted, and the United States will begin the process of normalizing relations with North Korea.
19 March: The sixth round of six-party talks commences in Beijing.
25 June: North Korea announces resolution of the banking dispute regarding US$25 million in DPRK assets in Macau's Banco Delta Asia.
14 July: North Korea announces it is shutting down the Yongbyon reactor after receiving 6,200 tons in South Korean fuel oil aid.
17 July: A 10-person team of IAEA inspectors confirms that North Korea has shut down its Yongbyon reactor, a step IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei said was "a good step in the right direction". On the same day, a second shipment of 7,500 tons of oil aid was dispatched from South Korea for the North Korea city of Nampo, part of the 50,000 tons North Korea is due to receive in exchange for shutting down the reactor, according to the February 13 agreement.
11–13 September: Inspectors from the United States, China and Russia conduct a site visit at Yongbyon reactor to determine ways to permanently disable the reactor. U.S. delegation leader, Sung Kim, declared they "saw everything they had asked to see," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
2008
25 February: CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour toured North Korea's nuclear plant. CNN was one of only two U.S. news organizations at the facility.
10 May: Sung Kim, the U.S. State Department's top Korea specialist, returned to South Korea by land across the heavily fortified border after collecting approximately 18,000 secret papers of Yongbyon nuclear reactor activities during a three-day visit to Pyongyang.
26 June: North Korea hands over 60 pages of documents detailing its capabilities in nuclear power and nuclear weapons
27 June: North Korea destroys a cooling tower at Yongbyon's main atomic reactor.
11 October: The US removes North Korea from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
2009
5 April: North Korea's launch of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 satellite, intended to broadcast "immortal revolutionary songs," ends in failure.
14 April: Following a UN resolution denouncing its missile launch, North Korea says that it "will never again take part in such [six party] talks and will not be bound by any agreement reached at the talks." North Korea expelled nuclear inspectors from the country and also informed the IAEA that they would resume their nuclear weapons program.
25 April: North Korea says it has reactivated its nuclear facilities.
25 May: North Korea tests its second nuclear device.
2012
April: North Korea prepares to test its third nuclear device.
13 April: North Korea's launch of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite which fails shortly after launch. It is intended to mark the centenary of Kim Il Sung's 100th birthday and the satellite will estimate crop yields and collect weather data as well as assess the country's forest coverage and natural resources.
12 December: North Korea's launch of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 satellite that is meant to replace the failed Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite, and became the 10th space power that is capable of putting satellites in orbit using its own launch vehicles. The launch came during the period when the DPRK was commemorating the first anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-il and just before the first South Korean domestic launch of a satellite and the South Korean presidential election on 19 December 2012.
2013
5 February: South Korea's President warned that North Korea could be planning "multiple nuclear tests at two places or more".
12 February: North Korea tests its third nuclear device.
March–April: North Korea crisis (2013)
2015
20 May: North Korea claims to have nuclear weapons capable of hitting the United States.
December: In early December, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un claimed that the country was prepared to detonate a hydrogen bomb, however significant doubts surround the claim.
2016
6 January: North Korea conducts its fourth nuclear test. Although the government claims it to be its first hydrogen bomb,the claim was met with significant skepticism.
6 July: A high-level DPRK Government spokesman’s statement was made defining a more precise meaning of "denuclearization", as covering the whole Korean peninsula and its vicinity, signalling a willingness to continue negotiations on the topic.
9 September: North Korea conducts its fifth underground nuclear test. With an estimate yield of over 10kt, it would make it the most powerful North Korean nuclear test thus far.
26 October: United States Director of National IntelligenceJames Clapper said during a speech that persuading North Korea to abandon its program is "probably a lost cause" since, to North Korea, it was "their ticket to survival" and any discussions about ending their nuclear ambitions would be a "non-starter".
2017
6 March: North Korea launched four ballistic missiles, three of which landed 200 miles off Japan’s coastline. Supreme leader Kim Jong-un promised that the country will eventually have nuclear-armed, intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the continental United States, thus challenging the Trump Administration of the United States to review its policy options, including preemptive strikes or further isolation of the North Korean economy.
15 April: at the yearly major public holiday Day of the Sun, North Korea staged a massive military parade to commemorate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung, the country’s founder and grandfather of current leader, Kim Jong-un. The parade took place amid hot speculation in the United States, Japan, and South Korea that the country would look to also potentially test a sixth nuclear device, which it did not do.
3 September: At 3:31 AM UTC, the United States Geological Survey reported that it had detected a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in North Korea near the Punggye-ri test site. Given the shallow depth of the quake and its proximity to North Korea's primary nuclear weapons testing facility, experts concluded that the country had conducted a sixth nuclear weapon test (2017 North Korean nuclear test). North Korea claimed that they had tested a hydrogen bomb capable of being mounted on an ICBM. The independent seismic monitoring agency NORSAR initially estimated that the blast had a yield of around 120 kilotons but subsequently revised to 250 kilotons of TNT (1,000 TJ) based on a tremor of 6.1M. According to State TV, USGS reported 6.3M.
According to 38 North exclusive with analysis by Frank V. Pabian, Joseph S. According to Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu, On April 21, 2018 the state-run Korean Central News Agency (c), quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying,
“under the proven condition of complete nuclear weapons, we no longer need any nuclear tests, mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests, and that the nuclear test site in northern area has also completed its mission.”
Commercial satellite imagery of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from April 20, the day before the site’s closure was announced, shows some unusual activity. Most notably, approximately one dozen mining carts—at least eight connected in a long train—could be observed in an unusual arrangement on the spoil pile in the area closest to the West Portal. It is too early to conclude whether this display is related to Kim Jong Un’s announcement.
Satellite Surveillance Detects Unusual Activity At North Korean Nuclear Site!lite
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Murphy, J.R., Stevens, J.L., Kohl, B.C. and Bennett, T.J., 2013. Advanced Seismic Analyses of the Source Characteristics of the 2006 and 2009 North Korean Nuclear Tests, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 103, 3, 1640-1661, DOI: 10.1785/0120120194
Zhang, M. and Wen, L., 2013. High-precision location and yield of North Korea's 2013 nuclear test, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 12, 2941-2946, DOI: 10.1002/grl.50607
MacCarthy, J.K., Anderson, D.N. and Bonner, J.L., 2013. Combined Rayleigh‐ and Love‐Wave Magnitudes for Seismic Event Discrimination and Screening Analysis, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 103, 6, 3334-3340, DOI: 10.1785/0120130065
Yang, Y.-M., Garrison, J.L. and Lee, S.-C., 2012. Ionospheric disturbances observed coincident with the 2006 and 2009 North Korean underground nuclear tests, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, 2, L02103, DOI: 10.1029/2011GL050428
Chun, K.-Y., Wu, Y. and Henderson, G.A., 2011. Magnitude Estimation and Source Discrimination: A Close Look at the 2006 and 2009 North Korean Underground Nuclear Explosions, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 101, 3, 1315-1329, DOI: 10.1785/0120100202
Bennett, T.J.,Oancea, V., Barker, B.W., Kung, Y.-L., Bahavar, M., Kohl, B.C., Murphy, J.R. and Bondár, I., 2010. The Nuclear Explosion Database (NEDB): A New Database and Web Site for Accessing Nuclear Explosion Source Information and Waveforms, Seismol. Res. Lett., 81, 1, 12-25, DOI: 10.1785/gssrl.81.1.12
Shin, J.S., Sheen, D.-H. and Kim, G., 2010. Regional observations of the second North Korean nuclear test on 2009 May 25, Geophys. J. Int., 180, 1, 243-250, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04422.x
Sources: FAS (Federation of American Scientists), Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, CNN, Fox, web archive. google, War and S tate Terrorism, 38 North, Washington Post, nukestarat.com, BBC, AFP IAEA, Newyork times, UN, Fox news, ABC News, Reuters, Yahoo. Wikipedia, Youtube DOD news, RT, News Trust, Bing, Yonhap News, USA Today, Satellite, Earthquake-Report, Google, Moxnews catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, April 24, 2018, Rev April 26, 2018
Breaking News - North Korea Freezes Immediately Its Ballistic Missile Launch, Announced by DPRK Leader Kim Jong-Un
Published on Apr 21, 2018
Youtube Mania,VOA NEWS, FOX NEWS, REUTERS TV: Breaking News - North Korea Freezes Immediately Its Ballistic Missile Launch, Announced Kim Jong-Un
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced the country will stop conducting nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles starting April 21, and shut down a nuclear test site in the north side of the country, through a broadcast on the state news agency KCNA reports, and President Trump announced in a tweet, later adding quotes from the message.
A message from Kim Jong Un: “North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles.”
Also will “Shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear tests.” Progress being made for all!
President Trump welcomes North Korea's decision, calling it "very good news" and big progress
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Apr 21, 2018, Park Ji-won, Arirang News reported that As North Korea's surprise announcement filtered out, U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to welcome the news.
About an hour after the news broke, President Trump tweeted his response, saying "North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site. This is very good news for North Korea and the World - big progress "
He added that he looks forward to his summit talks with the North Korean leader.
Trump sent another tweet about five hours after his first, explaining Pyongyang's announcement in detail, "North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missile. And it will also shut down a nuclear test site in the country's Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test." He added "Progress being made for all."
China also welcomed North Korea's move to halt its nuclear and missile tests, and to focus on developing its economy for the sake of the North Korean people.
In a statement Saturday, Beijing's foreign ministry said North Korea's decision would help achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and would help to further ease tensions in the region.
The statement added that China will play a role in supporting North Korea and other relevant parties to improve their relations through dialogue and consultation.
China also urged all relevant countries to cooperate in achieving lasting peace.
In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe labeled the North's decision as "forward motion,..." adding that he welcomed such moves. But he stressed the North's denuclearization has to be complete, verifiable and irreversible, adding that Japan will keep a close eye on the situation.
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At Punggye-ri, 6 tests were given in Kilju county which is located in north Hamgyong province.
The site has three visible tunnel entrances. Based on satellite imagery, its exact location is 41°16′47.87′N 129°5′10.51′E in mountainous terrain in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province.
It is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Mantapsan, 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Hwasong concentration camp and 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of the Punggye-ri village. The most proximate settlement to the possible nuclear underground test site is Chik-tong, a small populated place located at 41°16′00′N 129°06′00′E.
Sungjibaegam is a settlement located 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the tremor of the 2013 test.[5]Punggye-ri railway station is located at 41.130833°N 129.163611°E.
The site has three visible tunnel entrances. Based on satellite imagery, its exact location is 41°16′47.87′N 129°5′10.51′E in mountainous terrain in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province.
It is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Mantapsan, 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Hwasong concentration camp and 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of the Punggye-ri village. The most proximate settlement to the possible nuclear underground test site is Chik-tong, a small populated place located at 41°16′00′N 129°06′00′E.
Sungjibaegam is a settlement located 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the tremor of the 2013 test.[5]Punggye-ri railway station is located at 41.130833°N 129.163611°E.
Here is the timeline for Missile tests from North Korea:
A UN Security Council sanctions committee report stated that North Korea operates an international smuggling network for nuclear and ballistic missile technology, including to Myanmar (Burma), Syria, and Iran.
North Korea is a signatory to the Geneva Protocol, which prohibits the use of chemical weapons in warfare.[ North Korea is also a signatory to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).Although the nation has signed the BWC, it "has failed to provide a BWC Confidence-Building Measure declaration since 1990." North Korea is not a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It is one of four countries that have not ratified the CWC (the others are Israel, Egypt, and South Sudan).
North Korea has refused to acknowledge possessing chemical weapons, as called for by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, passed in 2006,
After the 2010 bombardment of Yeonpyeong (in which North Korea attacked Yeonpyeong Island with conventional weapons, killing a number of civilians), the National Emergency Management Agency of South Korea distributed 1,300 gas masks to South Koreans living in the western border (a flashpoint for conflict); the agency also distributed another 610,000 gas masks to members of the South Korean civil defense corps, which numbers 3.93 million. The agency also announced the renovation of underground emergency shelters.[ Gas masks are effective against some chemical agents, but not against blister agents such as mustard gas, Lewisite, and Phosgene oxime, which North Korea is thought to have in its stockpiles.
In October 2013, South Korea and the United States "agreed to build a joint surveillance system to detect biochemical agents along the demilitarized zone" and to share information,
Also in 2015, Melissa Hanham of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies released an analysis of photo of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un visiting the Pyongyang Bio-technical Institute, a factory supposedly for the production of bacillus thuringiensis of use in pesticides.
Hanham's analysis concluded that the factory actually produces weaponizedanthrax.Hanham noted that pesticide production factories are "an old and well-used cover for a biological weapons program" and an example of dual-use technology.
A number of other experts agreed that "the photos most likely show an operational biological weapons facility. The North Korean government denied the allegations; an official spokesperson for the National Defence Commission, through the official Korean Central News Agency, challenged the U.S. Congress to inspect the Institute and "behold the awe-inspiring sight of the Pyongyang Bio-technical Institute."
North Korea possesses various types of chemical weapons, including nerve, blister, blood, and vomiting agents, as well as some biological weapons, including anthrax, smallpox, and cholera.
In 2017, Kim Jong-nam, the estranged elder half-brother of Kim Jong-un, was assassinated with VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia by suspected North Korean agents.
However, Good News is North Korea will not testing missiles and nuclear test instead they are seeking to live normal and peace and prosperity for their own people if this is truth like what they say.....President Trump and the world will bless and support DPRK towards prosperity.... even if many are skeptical although there are a lot to work with verifiable, irreversible even irrevocable which until it's safe for human and for the earth.
Sources: Wikipedia, CNN, Fox News, VOA, Youtube Mania, Arirang News, Rodong News, REUTERS TV
US - Japan Summit demands Complete DPRK Denuclearization
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Abe of Japan in Joint Press Conference
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 18, 2018
Mar-a-Lago
Palm Beach, Florida
6:16 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. I want to begin today by expressing my deep condolences to the entire Bush family on the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush, a wonderful, wonderful person. For decades, Barbara was a titan in American life. Her presence and character were engraved into America’s identity.
Her strength and toughness really embodied the spirit of our country. And her warmth and devotion earned the admiration of an entire nation and, indeed, the entire world. She was a tireless champion for literacy. She was a fierce advocate for the American family. And she was a woman of proud patriotism and profound faith.
Our hearts are saddened by her passing, but our spirits are lifted by the memories of her goodness and her grace. She was a good person.
Melania and I send our prayers to Barbara’s husband of 73 years — I’ll never beat that record — President George H.W. Bush; to the surviving children — Jeb, and Neil, and Marvin, Dorothy, and former President George W. Bush; and to their many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
This evening, I also want to send a message to all of the brave service members from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom who were involved in the very successful strikes on targets associated with the Syrian chemical weapons program last week. Once again, the unmatched skill of the United States military, and our great partners and allies, was demonstrated to the entire world. Missiles were shot. They tried to knock them down; they weren’t in the least successful. They hit none.
The purpose of our strike was to establish a strong deterrent against the use of banned chemical weapons. Civilized nations must join together to prevent the horrors of chemical warfare and, in fact, warfare. And I think our allies really were absolutely world-class, wonderful. We thank them for their support.
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by my good friend, Prime Minister Abe of Japan. Highly respected gentleman. Prime Minister, Melania and I are honored to host you and Mrs. Abe once again at Mar-a-Lago. We’re grateful for the tremendous hospitality you showed us during our visit to your country last fall. It was a true privilege to be welcomed to the magnificent land of Japan, or as I’ve heard all my life, the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s true. So great.
During our visit to Asia in November, we had tremendous success enlisting support for our campaign of maximum pressure on the North Korean regime. As you know, I will be meeting with Kim Jong-un in the coming weeks to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Hopefully, that meeting will be a great success. And we’re looking forward to it. It would be a tremendous thing for North Korea and a tremendous thing for the world. So we will be doing everything possible to make it a worldwide success, not just for the United States or South Korea or North Korea or Japan, but for the entire world.
We hope to see the day when the whole Korean Peninsula can live together in safety, prosperity, and peace. This is the destiny of the Korean people who deserve and have gone through so much over the years. We hope it all works out, and we’ll be trying very hard.
I want to thank the Prime Minister for his insight and support over the past year as we have pursued the dream of a peaceful, nuclear-free Korea. Shinzo, you have worked very hard, along with us and all of our people, and we thank you very much. And we’re with you. And you’re a lot closer than we are, but we’re working on this together. Thank you very much. Your support has been critical to getting us to this important moment in time. It’s a historic moment, and possibly beyond that, if it works out properly.
Our discussions today reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and Japan on the issue of North Korea and our common defense.
We will not repeat the mistakes of previous administrations. Our campaign of maximum pressure will continue until North Korea denuclearizes. We have great respect for many aspects of what they’re doing, but we have to get it together. We have to end nuclear weapons, ideally in all parts of the world. That would be a goal for all of us, to hope for and to cherish.
As I’ve said before, there is a bright path available to North Korea when it achieves denuclearization in a complete and verifiable, and irreversible way. It will be a great day for them. It will be great day for the world.
During my visit to Japan last fall, I met with Japanese families who endured the terrible heartbreak of having their loved ones abducted by the North Korean regime. We want to see these families reunited as soon as possible. And I know for a fact that it’s one of the truly most important things on Shinzo’s mind. We talk about it often. So important to you. And we’re going to do everything possible to have them brought back, and bring them back to Japan. I gave you that promise.
The United States also supports Japan’s efforts to improve its defense capabilities, and we’re exploring ways to expedite the sale of American military equipment to Japan through the Foreign Military Sales program.
We’ve stepped up our effort not only with respect to Japan, but other allies, that when they order military equipment from us, we will get it taken care of and they will get their equipment rapidly. It would be, in some cases, years before orders would take place because of bureaucracy with Department of Defense, State Department. We are short-circuiting that. It’s now going to be a matter of days. If they’re our allies, we are going to help them get this very important, great military equipment. And nobody — nobody — makes it like the United States. It’s the best in the world by far.
We’re also working to improve our economic partnership by reducing our trade imbalance and removing barriers to U.S. exports. The United States is committed to free, fair, and reciprocal — very important word — trade. And we’re committed to pursuing a bilateral trading relationship that benefits both of our great countries.
Prime Minister Abe and I have agreed to intensify our trade and investment consultations. Ambassador Lighthizer, who’s with us today, will take the lead for the United States.
These past two days have been extremely productive. The friendship between Japan and the United States has never been closer. I truly believe it has never been closer than it is today. And the bonds between our people have never been stronger.
In the months ahead, we will rely on this great friendship as we face an array of old challenges and new opportunities, and we will face them together. We will work closely on trade. We will do something having to do with the imbalance that, frankly, should have been done for years and years and years.
Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you again for traveling to Mar-a-Lago for these important discussions and meetings. It’s been a true honor to welcome you here and to work with you toward greater security, prosperity, and peace for our two truly great and wonderful nations. And thank you for being here, Shinzo. Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Mrs. Barbara Bush, the former First Lady, she has passed away. On representing the Japanese people, I would like to express my condolences to former President Bush and to all the family members. We express our heartfelt condolences.
For the infinitely blue sky, refreshing and a soothing sea breeze, it was a great pleasure to be invited once again to this beautiful Mar-a-Lago and in a relaxed atmosphere to spend significant length of time with President Trump to engage in fruitful discussion in a frank and straightforward manner.
About a year ago at this place, at the very moment I was at dinner with President Trump, North Korea dared to launch ballistic missiles. It is absolutely intolerable. Immediately after I said so, President Trump stepped forward in front of the camera, though it was not planned, and made one following comment: The U.S. is with our ally, Japan, 100 percent. The President sent out a message of powerful commitment to the world.
Donald, your words on that occasion is still deeply etched in my mind, together with my wonderful memory of my stay here in Mar-a-Lago. With one single comment, you demonstrated a rather superbly strong Japan-U.S. alliance, which has a history of longer than half a century.
And once again express my deepest respect for your remarkable leadership. A year also has passed since then. The situation surrounding North Korea, due to the decisive decision by President Trump on the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit, is at a historical turning point. The past mistakes should never be repeated. On this point, President Trump and I were in full agreement.
On the occasion of the 1994 framework agreement or the 2005 Six-Party Talks agreement, North Korea committed to abandon nuclear weapons development. But those promises were broken, and the effort of the international community to engage in dialogue were all entirely exploited to buy time to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.
Based on such lessons learned, both the U.S. and Japan, together with the international community, we will demand that for all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles complete a verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles to North Korea.
By envisioning multiple scenarios, we carefully thought out our policies and directions at a concrete and detailed level. Just because North Korea is responding to dialogue, there should be no reward. Maximum pressure should be maintained, and actual implementation of concrete actions towards denuclearization will be demanded. This firm policy has once again been completely shared between us.
On this occasion, we also agree to continue our effort towards the earlier resolution of the top priority matter of abduction. Just now, President Trump, on this spot here, has mentioned that with the return of the abductees, maximum effort will be made. With a clear promise just made here, we are deeply encouraged, Donald.
Half a year ago, when you visited our country, you listened intently to each and every family members of the abductees. You listened carefully and kindly said you would like to help. Your image on that occasion is indelibly etched in the eyes and minds of many of the Japanese people. Going forward, we wish to work closely with the United States and towards the immediate return of all abductees. We are determined to strengthen our approach vis-à-vis North Korea.
North Korea has diligent workforce and is blessed with resources. If North Korea advances in the right direction, they can make their populations richer. If North Korea takes the right path under the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, there could be a possible path to settle the unfortunate past and to normalize diplomatic relationship.
For that to happen, a comprehensive resolution of multiple concerns — including abduction, nuclear, and missile — will be the fundamental precondition. Through the upcoming historic U.S.-North Korea summit, we certainly hope for a breakthrough in this situation.
The Japan-U.S. alliance is not just limited to the sphere of security, but it also contributes to the peace and prosperity of the world, as well as the region. On the economic front, Japan and the U.S. will take a lead and develop a free and fair market in the Indo-Pacific region.
I spent some time with President Trump to discuss ways to make that happen in a candid manner. First of all, we must further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. Under President Trump, exports from the U.S. — including energy, aircraft, amongst others — have already been increasing significantly. Further, following the bold tax reform by President Trump, Japanese companies’ investments in the U.S. have been gaining momentum, which is creating a large number of jobs in the U.S. and contributing to the expansion of the exports from the U.S.
In order to benefit both Japan and the U.S., we’ll further expand trade and investment between the two countries. Building upon that foundation, we’ll aim to realize economic development in the free and open Indo-Pacific region based on fair rules. To make that happen, at this time, President Trump and I agreed to start talks for free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals.
And Minister Motegi will be responsible for these talks on the side of Japan. Minister Motegi and the U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer, I hope, will have very fruitful discussions.
Over the last two days, President Trump and I have spent more than seven hours together over meals and playing golf, while at the same time, we were able to hold extremely fulfilling talks in a relaxing atmosphere. The last few days were the time when I was able to further deepen my friendship and relationship of trust with President Trump.
Lastly, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Donald and First Lady Melania for their wonderful hospitality, as well as the continued warmhearted welcome of the people of the United States. Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much, Shinzo. Appreciate it.
Questions. Mark Landler? Mark.
Q Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. Prime Minister, nice to see you again.
Mr. President, you sent your CIA Director to Pyongyang a couple of weeks ago, and he returned without three Americans who are being detained there, and also without any other visible signs of concessions the North Koreans had made to the United States in advance of your meeting with Mr. Kim.
My question is: Do you intend or are you willing to sit down with Kim Jong-un if Americans are still being held in North Korea? And will you insist on other tangible concessions from the North Koreans in return for gestures like sending a potential future Secretary of State to North Korea?
And for the Prime Minister, if I may — you, a moment ago, alluded to new trade talks between your minister and Mr. Lighthizer. Should we interpret that to mean that you are now open to negotiating a bilateral trade deal between the United States and Japan?
And then, a second question. Japan is the only major American ally that was not exempted from the steel tariffs. Did you ask the President to exempt Japan? And if so, how did he reply?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you, Mark, very much. The fact is that they do have three prisoners. We have been talking about them. We are negotiating now. We are doing our very best. As you know, they’ve been there a long time and it’s harsh treatment. We fought very hard to get Otto Warmbier back. And when we came back, he was in very, very bad condition. It was a very sad event.
We are likewise fighting very diligently to get the three American citizens back. I think there’s a good chance of doing it. We’re having very good dialogue. We will keep you informed. But we are in there and we are working very hard on that.
We have come a long way with North Korea. We were, as you know — and when I say “we”, for many years, they’ve been talking to North Korea and nothing has happened. This should have been taken care of by past administrations when they were not nearly so far along. But we put unbelievably powerful sanctions on, and many other things.
I want to thank publicly President Xi of China, who has done more for us than he’s done for any other administration, or than any leader of China has done for any President or administration. He has clogged up the border, as you know, and he’s done it very, very powerfully. He would tell you himself that he never thought he would go to this extent, and I appreciate that very much. But it’s put a lot of pressure on.
As you know, 93 percent of the goods coming into North Korea come in from China. And President Xi understands that this is a very important set of months that are lying ahead. He doesn’t want to see a Korea — North Korea, or any Korea — that has nuclear weapons either. So he’s also fighting for China when it comes to this. But he has been terrific.
Can he be better? I always say yes, he can be better. I said, “President, you’ve been great. Can you be better? Yes.” But he’s been very good, and it’s had a big impact. And what we’ve done has had a big impact.
So we’ve never been in a position like this with that regime, whether it’s father, grandfather, or son. And I hope to have a very successful meeting. If we don’t think it’s going to be successful, Mark, we won’t have it. We won’t have it. If I think that it’s a meeting that is not going to be fruitful, we’re not going to go. If the meeting, when I’m there, is not fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting, and we’ll continue what we’re doing or whatever it is that we’ll continue. But something will happen.
So I like always remaining flexible, and we’ll remain flexible here. I’ve gotten it to this point. President Moon of South Korea was very generous when he said, if it weren’t for Donald Trump, the Olympics would have been a total failure. It was my involvement and the involvement of our great country that made the Olympics a very successful Olympics. If you look at ticket sales prior to what took place with respect to North Korea, it was going to be a big problem, and it turned out to be a very successful Olympics.
So we’ve gotten us here, and I think we’re going to be successful. But if for any reason I feel we’re not, we end. Okay? Thank you, Mark.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Between President Trump and myself, for benefitting both Japan and the U.S., we have expanded the investment and trade based on the foundation — open and fair economic development in the Indo-Pacific region. We have agreed to start talks for free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals at this time.
As for Section 232, Japanese steel and aluminum would not exert any negative influence on the U.S. security. Rather, it’s a position that the quality of Japanese product is high. Many of those products are difficult to be replaced with, and they are greatly contributing to the U.S. industries and employment. So recognizing that, we’d like to continue to respond to this matter going forward.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I will add that the 232, having to do with aluminum and steel tariffs — 30 percent, in one case; 25 percent and 10 percent — that it’s got us to the bargaining table with many nations, and, in other cases, they’re paying. And it’s billions of dollars coming into the coffers of the United States. So they’ve been, actually, very important.
If you look at what we did with solar panels, where we put 30 percent tariffs on, we had 32 companies opened with pretty new plants, because it’s a relatively new industry. Of the 32 plants, 30 were closed and 2 were not doing well. Since putting the tariffs on, the two are doing very well, seven or eight are going to be opening, and a lot more will open.
Same thing with washing machines. We were, believe it not, having washing machines dumped all over the country. We put tariffs on, and we’re now opening up and expanding companies that create and make — which is actually a very big business — washing machines and dryers.
So the workers of our country know what’s happening. We have companies moving up from Mexico — automobile companies — and they’re building new plants in Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and expanding their plants. A lot of things are happening. Our country is doing very, very well. And it’s going to continue. It’s going to continue. A lot of great momentum.
If you look at any chart, the enthusiasm for business in our country is at an all-time high. And unemployment — for African American workers, for Hispanic workers, unemployment is at an all-time low. In history — in the history of our country, it’s at the lowest point. If you look at unemployment for women, it’s at an 18-year low. So we’re very proud of our achievements.
And starting know, as you see, over the last few weeks, the tax cuts are kicking in. And it’s a beautiful thing to see. And people are spending money where they didn’t have the money to spend previously. So we’re very happy with that.
Shinzo, please.
Q (As interpreted.) I’m (inaudible). I’d like to ask a question about how to handle North Korean issues. Prime Minister Abe, the coordination for holding summits between the South Korea and North Korea, as well between the U.S. and North Korea, is underway. There is a concern in Japan that Japan may be left behind. So how are you going to proceed with dialogue with North Korea?
President Trump, you talked about the abduction issue. Are you going to consider the nuclear weapons disarmament the same level as abduction issue?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, maybe I’ll go first. Abduction is a very important issue for me because it’s very important to your Prime Minister. I will tell you that we were having dinner last night, and he started talking about abduction and how horrible it was. And his level of enthusiasm was unbelievable. And I said to him right then and there last night at the table, I said we will work very hard on that issue, and we will try and bring those folks back home. Very, very hard.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Whether Japan will be left behind, that is not at all the case. In the last two days, together with President Trump, we have spoken about North Korea. There will be the inter-Korean talks, and a U.S.-North Korea summit is planned. We have gone into really in-depth discussion. About our policy and direction, we have reached agreement.
Regarding the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit, we hope that it will lead to the resolution of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear missile, and of course, more than anything else, we hope it will be a historic summit that will lead to the resolution of abduction. And for that purpose, I have seriously and thoroughly discussed it with President Trump, and we have fully agreed about our direction going forward, in particular regarding abduction. As Donald has explained in our tête-à-tête, we have thoroughly discussed about this matter.
Last year, the President met with the victims of the abduction, as well as the family members. And the families’ feelings have been strongly felt and understood by the President, and he has given a very encouraging comment that he would appeal towards the resolution. I highly appreciate this encouraging comment. This gives us huge courage — a very encouraging comment. And for the families of the abductees, again, this is a massively, powerfully encouraging comment.
And, therefore, going forward between Japan and the U.S., or between the trilateral of Japan, U.S., and South Korea, we will cooperate closely and do our utmost to resolve the issues of North Korea, including abduction, nuclear, and missile.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: And we will be very loyal to Japan. Thank you.
Jennifer Jacobs.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. On the Mueller probe, have you concluded that it’s not worth the political fallout to remove either Special Counsel Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein?
And, Prime Minister Abe, did the President ask you to provide more funding for U.S. troops in Japan? And what agreement did you reach here in Florida on buying more military equipment from the U.S.?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Jennifer, I can say this — that there was no collusion, and that’s been so found, as you know, by the House Intelligence Committee. There’s no collusion. There was no collusion with Russia, other than by the Democrats — or, as I call them, the “obstuctionists,” because they truly are obstructionists.
So we are giving tremendous amounts of paper. This was a — really a hoax created largely by the Democrats as a way of softening the blow of a loss, which is a loss that, frankly, they shouldn’t have had from the standpoint that it’s very easy for them. They have a tremendous advantage in the Electoral College. And this is what it is, and this is where it came from.
You look at the kind of money that was paid. Probably some went to Russia. You look at Podesta having a company in Russia where nothing happened and people don’t talk about it. You look at the fact that their server — the DNC server — was never gotten by the FBI. Why didn’t the FBI take it? The FBI takes what they want. They go in; they wouldn’t get the server.
This is a hoax. As far as the investigation, nobody has ever been more transparent than I have instructed our lawyers — “Be totally transparent.” I believe we’ve given them 1.4 million pages of documents, if you can believe this. And haven’t used — that I know of, or for the most part — presidential powers or privilege.
So we are hopefully coming to the end. It is a bad thing for our country — very, very bad thing for our country. But there has been no collusion. They won’t find any collusion. It doesn’t exist.
As far as the two gentlemen you told me about, they’ve been saying I’m going to get rid of them for the last three months, four months, five months. And they’re still here. So we want to get the investigation over with, done with, put it behind us. And we have to get back to business with negotiating with this gentleman and plenty of others. But this gentleman is a very tough negotiator, and we have to focus on that.
Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Regarding the U.S. forces expenses, of the U.S. forces in Japan, the safety and security of Japan, and the peace and stability of the Far East is being maintained.
And for the forward deployment strategy of the United States in the Asia Pacific — in terms of the presence, their presence in Japan is very meaningful and significant. In the case of Japan, across the world, in terms of paying for the expenses, Japan accounts for the largest percentage of stationing compared to other countries. And the President understands very well.
Q I’m Taketa (ph) with Sankei News. I have a question for President Trump. This is the follow-up question for 232. So you don’t have any intention to exempt Japan at this point in time? And President Trump and Prime Minister Abe, with regard to trade, you are going to establish new talks for trade. Is it going to be in the direction of FTA or TPP? So I’d like to hear the views from both of you.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) So at this time, between President Trump, talks for free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals to initiate that has been agreed. As for this talk, Minister Motegi and Ambassador Lighthizer, USTR, will be the representative. And Mr. Asō and Vice President Pence, the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue where they will be receiving the report of these talks.
As for these talks, I thought that it would be the interest of both of the countries that the investment and trade between the two countries will be expanded. And we are going to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific economic growth.
So on the U.S. side, that they are interested in a bilateral deal, we are aware of that. But at any rate, our country’s position is that TPP is the best for both of the countries. And based on that position, we shall be dealing with the talks.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. The United States has a massive trade deficit with Japan. It’s anywhere from $69 billion to $100 billion a year. That’s massive by any standpoint. We are doing 232 on steel and aluminum. And if we can come to an arrangement on a new deal between the United States and Japan, that would certainly be something we would discuss — aluminum tariffs and steel tariffs. And I would look forward to being able to, at some point in the future, take them off.
But right now we have a deficit that’s a minimum of $69 billion a year. Japan sends us millions and millions of cars, and we tax them virtually not at all. And we don’t send so much product because we have trade barriers and lots of other things. So these are the things that the Prime Minister and I are going to be discussing over the next short period of time.
The media has not covered the TPP correctly. I don’t want to go back into TPP, but if they offered us a deal that I can’t refuse, on behalf of the United States, I would do it. But I like bilateral. I think it’s better for our country. I think it’s better for our workers. And I much would prefer a bilateral deal, a deal directly with Japan. We already have a deal with 6 of the 11 nations in the TPP. So we already have trade deals, and the others we can make very easily. They’re all calling wanting to make a deal. But we think that’s much better for us.
So unless they offer us a deal that we cannot refuse, I would not go back into TPP. We’ll see what happens. But in the meantime, we’re negotiating. And what I really prefer is negotiating a one-on-one deal with Japan. And that’s where we are right now, and I will say that the representatives who are sitting right here are extraordinarily competent and very tough — those representing Japan. And we will hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, have a very good deal — good for Japan and good for the United States. Okay?
Thank you all very much. We appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much, Shinzo.
Q Anything sanctions on Russia, sir?
Q Why no sanctions on Russia, sir?
Q Mr. President, why did you delay the sanctions on Russia?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yeah, we’ll do sanctions. As soon as they very much deserve it, we will have — that is a question. There has been nobody tougher on Russia than President Donald Trump. Between building up the military, between creating tremendous vast amounts of oil. We raised billions and billions of dollars extra in NATO. We had a very, very severe — we were talking about it a little while — fight in Syria recently, a month ago, between our troops and Russian troops, and that’s very sad. But many people died in that fight. There has been nobody tougher than me.
With the media, no matter what I did, it’s never tough enough because that’s their narrative. But Russia will tell you, there has been nobody tougher than Donald Trump. And then, the other night, we had a strike in Syria, which was absolute precision.
I leave it with this, with all of that said: If we can get along with China, and if we can get along with Russia, and if we can get along with Japan and other nations, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. Just remember that. If we got along with other nations, that’s good, not bad.
Thank you very much everybody.
END
6:55 P.M. EDT
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According to Arirang News, Dated April 19th, 2018, Won Jung-hwan reported that Tomorrow, the two Koreas will be establishing a hotline between the office of the leaders of both sides.
The presidential office of Cheong WaDae announced on Thursday that Seoul and Pyongyang will be establishing a direct line of communication on Friday.
"The end of the hotline will be at the South Korean presidential office and on the North Korean side it'll be at the State Affairs Commission, an executive body headed by Kim Jong-un."
Cheong WaDae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom during a press briefing on Thursday said working-level officials from the two sides will conduct a trial call before connecting the line on Friday.
The two Koreas agreed that President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will hold phone talks prior the summit. However, the date for the phone talks has not been set yet.
The top office also announced six key aides who will accompany President Moon at the inter-Korean summit next week.
They are Chief Secretary ImJong-seok, National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong, National Intelligence Service Chief SuhHoon, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, Defense Minister Song Young-moo, and Foreign Affairs Minister Kang Kyung-wha.
The spokesperson, however, pointed out that who will sit at the actual summit table will depend on the number of aides accompanying Kim Jong-un.
As for the summit venue, the top office said the Peace House at the truce village of Panmunjom underwent a renovation of facilities, which started on April 6. The final touches, expected to be finalized this week, include installation of carpets and hanging of paintings.
Cheong WaDae will have two situation rooms set up by next Tuesday -- one at the truce village of Panmunjom and the other at the main press center located in the KINTEX exhibition and convention center in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province, some 30 km south of Panmunjom.
The presidential office said rehearsals will be held at Panmunjom twice next Tuesday and Thursday ahead of the April 27th summit.
White House: Statement from the
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary on the Visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany
FOREIGN POLICY Issued on: April 18, 2018
President Donald J. Trump will welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to the White House on April 27, 2018. On the occasion of Merkel’s re-election as Chancellor, the two leaders will reaffirm the German-American partnership—a bedrock of the transatlantic relationship and the NATO Alliance—as both nations work together to address a broad range of geopolitical and economic challenges. The two leaders will convene for an extended set of bilateral meetings, followed by a press availability in the Rose Garden.
end main..
Meanwhile,
Former George W. Bush deputy assistant Brad Blakeman on CIA Director Michael Pompeo’s meeting with Kim JongUn in North Korea and the passing of Barbara Bush.
DENUCLEARIZATION IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE: CHAMP IS AVAILABLE
One of the options that the United States is looking at to counter North Korea’s nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles is an experimental weapon called CHAMP.
CHAMP stands for Counter-Electronics High-Powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project. It uses bursts of microwave energy — an electromagnetic pulse — to disable electronic systems.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes WHY U.S MAY USE CHAMP TO FRY NORTH KOREA’S MISSILES ?
CONCEPT & STATUS
The idea would be to launch a cruise missile such as an AGM-86C — which is carried by the Boeing B-52 — that is armed with a CHAMP warhead to disable Pyongyang’s nuclear forces.
CHAMP is like a super powerful microwave ovens that can generate a concentrated beam of microwave energy.
“These high-powered microwave signals are very effective at disrupting and possibly disabling electronic circuits,” Mary Lou Robinson, who heads development of the weapons at the Air Force Research Laboratory, told NBC News.
Missile, bombs etc all have complex electronic circuits, so such an attack would actually disable them.
The most important aspect is that it is not lethal for humans and will avoid human casualties.
CHAMP is not yet ready for operational deployment and it would take a little bit of time. But officials believe the weapon could be readied for a contingency operation within only a few days in an emergency. And indeed, the U.S Air Force has tested the weapon against simulated facilities that produce weapons of mass destruction.
BOEING B-52
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades.
This makes the B 52 an ideal launch platform for a AGM-86C missile armed with CHAMP.
AGM-86C CAPABLITIES
The AGM-86 is a subsonic air-launched cruise missile built by Boeing. This missile was developed to increase the effectiveness and survivability of the Boeing B-52 bomber as the missile can be fired from standoff ranges. In combination, the missile dilutes an enemy’s forces and complicates air defense of its territory.
It has a range of 1,100 to 2,400 km depending on variant. This enables the B 52 to launch it far off from the target.
A single B 52 can launch unto 20 of these missiles. Hence, an enemy force could have to counterattack more than one missile at a time, making defense against them costly and complicated. The enemy’s defenses are further hampered by the missiles' small size and low-altitude flight capability, which makes them difficult to detect on radar.
North Korea has no air defense system which is capable of taking out this missile.
DISADVANTAGES
Though seemingly a silver bullet , with CHAMP there are certain disadvantages.
1. The weapons would have to fly exceedingly close to the North Korean missiles before detonating.
2. There is also the very real possibility that North Korean nuclear facilities are hardened against an EMP just as American,Russian and Chinese systems are.
3. If North Korea can detect the missile, it’s likely they will try shoot it down or respond as if it were a kinetic attack. North Korea won’t know if/when it detects the missiles whether they are carrying CHAMP as opposed to a conventional or nuclear warhead. North Korea will see cruise missiles fly into the country and hear explosions. By the time they figure out they were less-lethal HPM payloads, they will have already retaliated. So, the situation will still escalate.
Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project
Boeing and the Air Force Research Laboratory proved the concept during an operational test in 2012. The missile shot across the Utah desert and zapped multiple targets at different locations, shutting down rooms full of computers.
“The CHAMP missile navigated a pre-programmed flight plan and emitted bursts of high-powered energy, effectively knocking out the target’s data and electronic subsystems,” Boeing explained in a 2012 press release. “CHAMP allows for selective, high-frequency radio wave strikes against numerous targets during a single mission.”
The CHAMP is superior to other electronic warfare weapons because it destroys electronics, rather than jamming which temporarily affects systems that come back online when it stops being applied. The Air Force has two separate "capability portfolios" for weapons and electronic warfare equipment which have been having trouble joining to produce an operational CHAMP system, so a cross-functional study is to be delivered in summer 2015. Congress has suggested repurposing excess cruise missiles demilitarized under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty to turn them into CHAMP weapons without violating it. On 14 May 2015, the Air Force nominated the Lockheed Martin JASSM-ER as the optimal air vehicle to carry the CHAMP payload. CHAMP is capable of up to 100 shots per sortie.
CONCLUSION
Keeping in view the limitations, CHAMP could be used by US in scenario where it targets a specific missile site. But this could result in all out war just like it would with traditional options.
In case of all out preemptive strike by U.S, the CHAMP will certainly give way to tactical nukes or conventional weapons , as it will be essential to eliminate all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons in one sweep and CHAMP won’t be suitable for that role.
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Meanwhile , Breaking News - Experts Warns U.S. Not In Rush Talking Denuclearization With N. Korea.
North Korea's nuclear has threatened in 2018 | The Economist.
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North Korea's nuclear threat in 2018 | Youtube The Economist speaks that North Korea claims it can now launch missiles that can hit anywhere in mainland America.
In April 2018, North Korea will hold a national celebration to mark the birthday of the country's founding "eternal president" Kim Il Sung. But 2018 will also mark another milestone. North Korea will have nuclear missiles that can reach American soil.
Communist North Korea is a secretive state of 25m people. Increasingly, North Koreans are fleeing the tyrannical regime. DPRK Defector Thae Yong Ho is one of the highest-ranking officials to defect to the West. He has unique insight into the inner workings of Mr Kim's government and its nuclear ambition.
The country is already believed to have the means to deliver nuclear warheads at short and medium range. In 2017, with the world watching, Mr Kim successfully tested his long-range missile.
In 2018 he will perfect and demonstrate the ability to fit a nuclear weapon on a missile and fly it all the way to the American mainland. San Francisco and Los Angeles will be in its reach.
The road ahead will be defined by the pugnacious personalities of Mr Kim and Mr Trump.
Despite the bluster and posturing there is nothing to suggest either leader wants to go to war. In 2018, Donald Trump must choose between military action and diplomacy. China is key to Mr Trump's diplomatic route. As a supplier of virtually all North Korea's oil, China could curb Mr Kim's behaviour.
But so far China has been reluctant to intervene because it wants to avoid the collapse of the regime which could result in a unified Korea, with American troops on China's border.
There is a chance, however remote, that in the year ahead, America could order pre-emptive surgical strikes against North Korea's nuclear-missile facilities.
The impact of an American military intervention would have devastating consequences. North Korea has vast conventional artillery at the ready. North Korea would retaliate by firing missiles already positioned to hit Seoul, South Korea's capital.
The megacity of ten million people is only 56km from the North's border.
America has 28,000 troops South Korea. President Trump is capable of deploying cruise missiles, submarines and carriers within hours.
So far, President Trump appreciates to China that China has been trying to support DPRK Denuclearization and increased pressure on North Korea with tougher sanctions.
although, we will know when it's resulted DPRK denuclearization completed without any hiding or broken promises which DPRK demonstrated broken promises more than 25 years. However the world sees difference than the older generations but, who knows......
Two Koreas hold working-level talks on installing hotline between leaders ahead of summit.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News dated April 7th, 2018 reporte that Before the U.S. and North Korea get together, if they do, there's the big summit coming up between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North Korean leader. That's less than three weeks away now, on April 27th.
And on Saturday, the two sides held working-level talks at the inter-Korean border with the focus on setting up a direct hotline between the leaders.
The two Koreas held working-level talks on Saturday to discuss the installation of a hotline between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Starting at ten in the morning, the talks lasted about three hours on the northern side of the truce village of Panmunjom.
While Seoul said no further details or briefings will be given on the talks in line with an agreement with the North that everything stay under wraps until all the details are ironed out, there's speculation the line will be installed in President Moon's office in Cheongwadae and Kim's office in the Pyongyang headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party.
The installation was one of the six agreements reached by the two sides when President Moon's special envoy to the North last month agreed that the hotline is needed for "close cooperation" and to "alleviate military tension" on the peninsula.
It's also said the two leaders would like to talk over the phone before they come face-to-face for their summit on April 27th.
The hotline was first established in the year 2000 between former South Korean President Kim Dae-Jong and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, but it was installed in other inter-Korean related agencies and the two leaders never used it to talk directly.
And amid worsening inter-Korean ties in 2008, the line was disconnected.
But with developments coming thick and fast amid the rapid thawing in ties it's likely the first phone conversation between the leaders of the two Koreas will happen in the very near future.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary on President Donald J. Trump’s Upcoming Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 2nd, 2018
President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to Mar-a-Lago from April 17-18, 2018. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe’s third summit meeting will reaffirm the United States-Japan alliance as a cornerstone of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders will discuss the international campaign to maintain maximum pressure on North Korea in advance of President Trump’s planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe will explore ways to expand fair and reciprocal trade and investment ties between the United States and Japan, two of the world’s wealthiest and most innovative economies.
S. Korean president calls Korea, U.S. FTA revision talks "job well done"
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue reported on Apr 2, 2018 that President Moon Jae-in has called the recently concluded negotiations between Seoul and Washington "a job well done" as it managed to remove a possible source of conflict at a time when close cooperation between the allies is more important than ever.
Our chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung reports. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is relieved that any potential conflict between Seoul and Washington have been settled... by concluding negotiations on the six-year-old Korea, U.S. free trade agreement.
Speaking at a weekly meeting of his top aides on Monday, the South Korean leader gave credit to his trade officials who spent weeks hotel-hopping in Washington as they raced to overcome major trade hurdles with their U.S. ally ahead of high-stakes nuclear discussions with North Korea. "As trade protectionism turns into a dominant trend around the world, removing external uncertainties by swiftly wrapping up talks for the Korea, U.S. FTA amendment is a huge accomplishment."
The trade officials' efforts culminated in a revised pact the two countries announced last week that gives U.S. automakers and pharmaceuticals more access to the South Korean market... while lifting the threat of a 25 percent U.S. tariff on South Korean steel in exchange for quotas that will cut imports of Korean steel by about 30 percent.
The president, however, still asked his government to carefully review possible impacts of the revised free trade deal and draw up necessary measures to make sure local industries aren't negatively affected.
"It's also a job well done in that it has removed potential conflicts between the two countries when close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is absolutely criticial for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolving North Korea's nuclear issue."
"By securing a new approach to bilateral trade, the presidential Blue House believes... South Korea and the U.S. can focus on the road ahead... and keep all of their attention on the high politics of peace and security with the South Korean president set to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the end of this month and the first-ever North Korea, U.S. summit expected to take place by May.
A South Korean destroyer is off to rescue its nationals kidnapped at sea.
Due to security reasons not much detail has been disclosed regarding the situation in the waters near Ghana, other than the fact that the Cheonghae unit tasked with the mission is no stranger to such daring rescue operations.
Park Ji-won gets us up to speed with the developments. It's been around a week now, since three Korean nationals were abducted by pirates in the waters off the coast of Ghana on March 26th.
Details of the incident are yet to be confirmed, such as any demand or request made by the hijackers or even the whereabouts of the hostages.
Korea's defense ministry said the warship Munmu the Great has been dispatched to the area, and it is expected to arrive near the coast of west Africa on April 16th.
;
< style="background-color:red;">Breaking News : April 2nd, 2018
Trump proposed Putin visit White House in March 20 phone call, Kremlin says
Japan's Abe to visit US to discuss North Korea with Trump
The Washington Post
April 2nd at 10:03 AM
Trump proposed Putin visit White House in March 20 phone call, Kremlin says
MOSCOW — In a phone call last month, President Trump proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two meet in the White House, a Kremlin aide said Monday.
The aide, Yury Ushakov, said no preparations for such a meeting have taken place since the March 20 phone call, according to Russian news agencies.
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
“If everything will be alright, I hope that the Americans will not back away from their own proposal to discuss the possibility of holding a summit,” Ushakov said, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. “When our presidents spoke on the phone, it was Trump who proposed holding the first meeting in Washington in the White House.”
Trump congratulated Putin in a phone call two days after the Russian president’s reelection to a fourth term last month. After the call, Trump said he and Putin would get together “in the not-too-distant future.”
Since then, relations between Moscow and Washington have taken a further plunge in the aftermath of the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain.
Given that environment, Ushakov said Monday, “it is of course difficult to discuss the possibility of holding a summit,” Russian news agency Interfax reported.
“I hope that the situation will allow us to discuss this issue,” Ushakov added, referring to the planning for a Trump-Putin summit, according to Interfax. “We believe that it is rather important and necessary for both countries and for the entire international community.”
Trump and Putin met last July at a Group of 20 summit in Germany.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Russia’s Expulsion of American Diplomats
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 29th, 2018
Russia’s action today to expel American diplomats marks a further deterioration in the United States-Russia relationship. The expulsion of undeclared Russian intelligence officers by the United States and more than two dozen partner nations and NATO allies earlier this week was an appropriate response to the Russian attack on the soil of the United Kingdom. Russia’s response was not unanticipated, and the United States will deal with it..
AP: MSN: Reuters:
Japan's Abe to visit US to discuss North Korea with Trump
TOKYO — Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he plans to visit the U.S. this month to discuss North Korea with President Donald Trump ahead of expected summits between the North and the U.S. and South Korea.
Abe said he will travel to the U.S. from April 17 to 20 and hold two days of talks with Trump at the president's Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida to discuss North Korea and bilateral issues. Trump has said he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May.
"I hope to thoroughly discuss North Korea and other issues of mutual interest between Japan and the U.S.," Abe said at a meeting of representatives from his ruling coalition and the government.
Abe has said he wants to remind Trump of shorter-range missiles and other North Korean security threats for Japan, and seek U.S. help on the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago.
Abe is also expected to discuss stiff U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and urge Trump to exclude Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
The abductees' families last Friday urged Abe to seek Trump's help, saying this could be their last chance to win their loved ones' release.
Japan has said North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train agents in Japanese language and culture to spy on South Korea. Pyongyang, after years of denials, acknowledged in 2002 abducting 13 Japanese. The North allowed five of them to visit Japan later that year — and they stayed — but said the other eight had died, though their families say what the North said cannot be trusted.
Abe last visited Trump's resort in February 2017, soon after the president took office.
_
MSN: Japan's Abe to visit US to discuss North Korea with Trump
TOKYO — Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he plans to visit the U.S. this month to discuss North Korea with President Donald Trump ahead of expected summits between the North and the U.S. and South Korea.
Abe said he will travel to the U.S. from April 17 to 20 and hold two days of talks with Trump at the president's Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida to discuss North Korea and bilateral issues. Trump has said he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May.
"I hope to thoroughly discuss North Korea and other issues of mutual interest between Japan and the U.S.," Abe said at a meeting of representatives from his ruling coalition and the government.
Abe has said he wants to remind Trump of shorter-range missiles and other North Korean security threats for Japan, and seek U.S. help on the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago.
Abe is also expected to discuss stiff U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and urge Trump to exclude Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
The abductees' families last Friday urged Abe to seek Trump's help, saying this could be their last chance to win their loved ones' release.
Japan has said North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train agents in Japanese language and culture to spy on South Korea. Pyongyang, after years of denials, acknowledged in 2002 abducting 13 Japanese. The North allowed five of them to visit Japan later that year — and they stayed — but said the other eight had died, though their families say what the North said cannot be trusted.
Abe last visited Trump's resort in February 2017, soon after the president took office.
Reuters:
Japan PM Abe likely to meet President Trump on April 18: source
Reuters Staff
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is finalizing details for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on April 18 to discuss strategy before a proposed meeting between North Korean and U.S. leaders, a ruling party official told Reuters on Wednesday.
Abe will also likely ask Trump to exempt Japan from his steel and aluminum tariffs, said the official, who has been briefed on the matter and asked not to be identified.
Abe, speaking at a parliamentary committee, said Japanese steel products were helping to make U.S. auto makers more competitive and cheaper for American consumers.
“Protectionism, at first glance, appears to benefit a nation which exercises it, but it is not necessarily so,” Abe said. “Japan wants to be a flag bearer to promote a free trade which will bring a win-win situation to each nation.”
His finance minister, Taro Aso, echoed that view and said some of responsibility for the trade imbalance rested with the United States.
“I understand the U.S. position that it cannot continue with a trade deficit, but the United States itself should make efforts,” Aso told the same committee.
The meeting between Abe and the U.S. leader is expected to be held at Trump’s Mar-a-Largo retreat in Florida, according to the source.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is set to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April and then possibly Trump in May.
Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto and Kaori Kaneko; writing by Kaori Kaneko and Linda Sieg; editing by Paul Tait and Richard Pullin
Breaking News Out Of North Korea - Kim Jong Un Preparing NEW Nuclear Test - Japan Report
March 31st, 2018
;Latest News 360 dated March 31st, 2018: Breaking News Out Of North Korea - Kim Jong Un Preparing NEW Nuclear Test - Japan Report
Earlier this week Kim and President Xi Jinping of China met and it was believed the meeting would help ease tensions
Activity was seen at an underground tunnel giving clues that the North Korean leader is preparing for another test.
He added: “If South Korea and the US respond to our efforts in good faith, build a peaceful and stable atmosphere, and adopt phased and simultaneous steps for peace, the issue of denuclearization on the Peninsula can be resolved.
UK express also reported that North Korea MISSILE: Kim Jong-Un preparing NEW nuclear test - activity DETECTED by Japan
JAPAN has sent out a warning today that North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test.
Activity was seen at an underground tunnel giving clues that the North Korean leader is preparing for another test.
The country's Foreign Minister Taro Kono said: "[North Korea] is doing everything possible to prepare for the next nuclear test: it is currently extracting earth from an underground tunnel where the previous test was carried out".
The leader of the hermit kingdom said after meeting with President Xi Jinping of China that he was “committed to denuclearization” after sparking World War 3 fears with a series of missile tests.
He added: “If South Korea and the US respond to our efforts in good faith, build a peaceful and stable atmosphere, and adopt phased and simultaneous steps for peace, the issue of denuclearization on the Peninsula can be resolved.
“The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace.”
Two days ago it was announced that North Korea’s despotic dictator Kim Jong-un will face off with South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the “truce village” of Panmunjom.
The two states will host their first leaders summit in more than 10 years on April 27 at the village of Panmunjom in Korea’s Demilitarized Zone.
Both nations agreed to hold the summit after Mr Jae-in sent a delegation to Pyongyang to meet the North Korean leader.
The two sides said in a joint statement that they would meet on April 4 to hammer out final details of the summit such as news releases, security and staffing support.
Mr Gwon added: “We will have a fair number of issues to resolve on a working-level for preparations over the next month.
“But if the two sides deeply understand the historic significance and meaning of the summit and give them all, we will be able to solve all problems swiftly and amicably.”
Earlier this week Kim and President Xi Jinping of China met and it was believed the meeting would help ease tensions and lead to denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
Senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi said: “We believe (Kim's) visit will help the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, ensure peace and security of the Korean peninsula and resolve problems regarding the peninsula through political negotiations and discussions.”
The last nuclear missile test launched by North Korea was November 28 last year and the rocket traveled for 50 minutes and reached 2,800 miles, which was a new milestone for distance and height.
Not much is known about the missile atit's range, but experts believe it could reach up to 8,000 miles, which shocked residents of Hawaii in the US.
In September last year one of Kim's rockets were flown directly over Japan, worsening tensions in the region.
Ji Seong-ho is a North Korean defector currently residing in South Korea. He now runs an organization 'NAUH' helping other North Koreans escape. Here's why he thinks North Korea suddenly agreed to a meeting with Trump.
Breaking News - U.S. Begins Massive Ground Invasion Training, Iron Focus 18.1 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division conducted Iron Focus 18.1 in Orogrande, Nuevo Mexico.
This training exercise was designed to prepare the brigade for an upcoming National Training Center rotation and to ultimately meet future contingency requirements.
Iron Focus 18.1 emphasized leadership, training, and logistics to improve combat readiness.
CBS This Morning : March 28th, 2018: Ben Tracy: The White House says it was not told about North Korean leader Kim JongUn's secret visit to China until after it happened. Kim made the unannounced journey to Beijing this week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in his first trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011.
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Breaking News Korea's anti-piracy warship searching for three Koreans abducted by pirates off coast of Ghana: A pril 1st, 2018
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Breaking News - China's State Councilor briefs S. Korean president on N. Korea, China summit
March 30th, 2018
According Arirang News, Dated March 30th, 2018 The Chinese president's special envoy, Yang Jiechi met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the presidential Blue House Friday to brief the South Korean leader on the summit earlier this week between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Xi Jinping.
"State Councilor Yang explained in detail the outcome of the North Korea, China summit which took place on the occasion of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to China to President Moon.
Based on the briefing, President Moon and State Councilor Yang carried out in-depth discussions on ways for successful bilateral summits between the two Koreas and North Korea and the U.S."
The Chinese official told the South Korean president that the China-North Korea summit will contribute to the inter-Korean summit as well as the U.S.-North Korea summit expected to be held in May.
The two also touched upon other areas of interest between South Korea and China.
President Moon had conveyed his concern over the slow progress in China's removal of anti-THAAD measures through his National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong who held a meeting with China's special envoy Thursday evening.
Those include normalization of Chinese tour group to South Korea, resumption of Lotte's Shenyang construction project and subsidies for electric cars equipped with batteries produced by Korean companies.
"State Councilor Yang said President Moon should be able to see visible results very soon in these areas and asked for President Moon's faith in his words."
“ . . ” .
The Blue House spokesperson said while President Moon and State Councilor Yang spent half of their 70-minute long meeting discussing the North Korea, China summit as well as the North Korean
leader's proposal for denuclearization to Chinese President Xi Jinping he could not disclose the details of those talks citing sensitivity issues.
Instead, the Blue House announced that also thoroughly reviewed in Friday's meeting was the fine dust problem in South Korea and the two countries' vow to bolster anti-fine dust cooperation centering on the early launch of Korea-China Environment Cooperation Center in Beijing.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House.
Reporter :jenmoon@arirang.co.kr
Same day, Arirang News also reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets IOC chief in Pyongyang: AP
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.
According to the Associated Press, the two had a 30-minute formal meeting on Friday followed by casual discussions while watching a football match in the North Korean capital.
The IOC chief said Kim expressed his desire to have North Korea participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.
Bach also said Kim expressed his appreciation for the IOC's role in helping North Korea compete at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics,.which helped ease tensions in the region.
Reporter :hs_kim@arirang.com
Meanwhile, U.S. Calls On Other Nations To Help Denuclearize North Korea, Including China
Even if there is communications and meetings are holding between North Korea and South Korea even with China or any other parties for regarding North Korea Denuclearization, UN Sanctions are still the same and should be remaining the same until the another sanction orders stated from UN. even from U.S.A. There are no negotiation on Denuclearization. U.S.A. and the world is watching and very clear that complete denuclearization for DPRK and is must without any negotiation. President Trump is still willing to have meeting in May when it's denuclearization is committed and clear for denuclearization is Verifiable, irreversable is fully committed before meeting U.SA. President Donald J. Trump. There is no Negotiation allowed. Maximum Sacntion is still the same. Meanwhile, U.S. Calls On Other Nations To Help Denuclearize North Korea, Including China.
There is USS Wasp with F-35Bs Is Joining Massive Military Exercise Near N. Korea
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Experts Worry About The U.S. And North Korea Upcoming Summit
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Breaking News - Two Koreas to hold 2018 inter-Korean summit on April 27; no agenda yet
March 28th, 2018
According to Arirang News dated March 28th, 2018, Concerns still linger over the possibility of Pyong yang's hidden agenda, but some analysts express confidence, this time it could be different.
Cha Sang-mi Reported that The leaders of South and North Korea have only met twice since the Korean War ended in 1953.
The first inter-Korean summit was held in June 2000 in Pyongyang... between then-South Korean President Kim Dae-Jong and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
The second summit came seven years later,... between Kim Jong-il and the next South Korean President, Roh Moo-hyun, a former democracy activist. The purpose of both those summits was to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear programs, but denuclearization remained elusive.
On Thursday, the date was set for the third inter-Korean summit, this time between President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un on April 27th at the Peace House in the border village of Panmunjeom.
Concerns remain about North Korea's intentions, but some experts think the first summit in over a decade will be different. "This time, North Korea is not being capricious. In the past they broke their agreements many times, but this is the first time the North's leader has claimed a willingness to denuclearize and a need for talks with South Korea and the U.S."
Another expert says North Korea seems more at ease communicating with the current liberal South Korean administration. "The North Korean government would think trust can be restored with South Korea under the liberal Moon Jae-in administration... as a successor of the Kim Dae-Jong and Roh Moo-hyun administrations and their Sunshine Policy."
And some say, with the U.S.-North Korea summit planned in May, the issue of denuclearization will be discussed thoroughly. "The U.S.A. government has made it very clear that denuclearization will be the prerequisite for the successful outcome at the summit meeting between the North Korea and the United States."
Experts say the inter-Korean summit planned in April will serve as a stepping stone to the talks to follow between President Trump and Kim Jong-un.
On Mar.06 Bloomberg , 2018 Stephen Noerper, Korea Society senior director, discusses President Donald Trump signaling he's open to talks with North Korea. He speaks with Bloomberg's Julia Chatterley, Joe Weisenthal and Scarlet Fu on "What'd You Miss?".
Why North Korea's Overture to the U.S. Is Different This Time.
Breaking News - North Korea's Leader Kim Jong Un met Xi Jinping on surprise visit to China March 27th, 2018
The Chinese government confirmed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong Un made an “unofficial” visit to Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This comes after days of speculation over whether the leader had left the DPRK for the first time in his nearly seven years in power.
According to CNN dated March 27th, 2018,
Beijing (CNN): North Korea leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise trip to Beijing, Chinese state media confirmed Wednesday.
Images broadcast on Chinese state television CCTV showed Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, meeting with officials during the trip. It took place from March 25 to 28.
The trip is Kim's first abroad since he took the reins after his father, Kim Jong Il, died in late 2011. China is a traditional ally and major trading partner for North Korea.
The young North Korean leader held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and a handful of his deputies, including Li Keqiang, the Chinese premier, and Wang Qishan, the Chinese vice president who is considered one of Xi's closest confidantes, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
State media quoted Kim as saying that he is committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in China by train on March 25 and crossed the border back to Pyongyang on March 28.
"The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace," Kim said.
Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, also held a welcome banquet for their visitors. Kim told his hosts that he chose China as his first overseas destination as leader to show "his will to carry forward the tradition of DPRK-China friendship, and how he valued the friendship between the two countries."
"In this spring full of happiness and hopes, I believe my first meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping will yield abundant fruits of DPRK-China friendship, and facilitate peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," said Kim.
Xi said Beijing is willing to work with North Korea to "promote long-term healthy and stable development of China-DPRK relations, benefit the two countries and two peoples, and make new contribution to regional peace, stability and development," Xi said.
Rumors first surfaced about a potential visit by a high-level North Korean representative Monday night in Beijing, when pictures of what appeared to be the Kim family train surfaced online.
CNN's Yazhou Sun contributed to this report.
Same day, Yahoo news reported:
Beijing had a heavy security presence overnight. Some media have speculated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was making a surprise visit to China.
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1:05 p.m.
A convoy of official Chinese cars has been seen leaving the Beijing guesthouse amid speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is making his first visit to China as the North's leader.
City police and the paramilitary People's Armed Police stood guard Tuesday in the area and unidentified men in plainclothes attempted to prevent photographers from taking pictures.
Cars in the convoy were identified by yellow stickers but carried no diplomatic license plates. The guesthouse had been the favored residence of Kim Jong Un's father, North Korea's former leader Kim Jong Il, during his visits to Beijing.
The younger Kim had long been expected to make a visit to the capital of his country's most important ally and chief economic partner.
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9:15 a.m.
South Korea says it's closely monitoring the arrival of a train in Beijing that looks like one used by North Korea's previous leader. Seoul doesn't know who's on the train, but some media speculate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made a surprise visit to China.
South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday that it cannot immediately confirm reports that the train carried Kim on what would be his first overseas trip since taking power in 2011. The office says it also cannot confirm a report that the train carried Kim's sister.
Some see a recent diplomatic push by Kim Jong Un as an attempt to improve the country's economy. He has planned meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and President Donald Trump.
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10 p.m.
Japanese media reports say a special North Korean train has arrived in Beijing under unusually heavy security, suggesting a senior delegation might have been aboard.
A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday she was not aware of the situation and had no further comment. North Korea's state-run media had no reports of a delegation traveling to China.
Japanese television network NTV and public broadcaster NHK reported the arrival of the train and said the heavy security in the city suggested a senior official was aboard.
The reports sparked speculation that leader Kim Jong Un might have been on the train. Kim is expected to have a summit meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April and with U.S. President Donald Trump by May.
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It's Time to Arm the Navy's Super Hornet with the Ultimate Missile
Sources:CNN, Yahoo News, CGTN TV, CGTN America, Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, Fox, Tweeter, AP Reuters, Yahoo\wikipedia AP, and Youtube NoraeWang , Bloomberg, MSN, Reuters, AP, Arirang News, and White House catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, March 27th, 2018, Rev. March 28, 2018 Rev. March 29th, 2018, Rev March 30th, 2018, Rev. April 2nd, 2018
Breaking News - A Failed Talk With N.Korea Will Push U.S. To Ugly Second Phase March 21st, 2018
According to Arirang News Dated March 21st, 2018, Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House reported that The Moon Jae-in administration is making rapid progress in getting ready front for the upcoming inter-Korean summit.
Not only that, the President hinted at a possible trilateral meeting following the two one-on-ones. Our Chief Cheongwadae correspondent Moon Connyoung reported that "A North Korea-U.S. summit following an inter-Korean summit would be a historic event in and of itself. Depending on the venue, it could become even more dramatic. And, depending on the progress, it may even lead to a three-way summit between South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in's first mention of the possibility of a trilateral summit... following the first two one-on-ones which, the president stressed, should focus on ending the nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula once and for all.
The remarks came as he chaired the second meeting of the South's interagency preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un late next month.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also said he would meet the North's Kim by the end of May.
The historic rendezvous between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim are set to take place on the southern side of the border between the two Koreas in the truce village of Panmunjom and it could also serve as the venue for a possible three-way meeting between Seoul, Pyongyang, and Washington. "The series of summits must aim for a complete end to the nuclear and peace issues on the Korean Peninsula. Regardless of whether the two Koreas live together or separately, we have to make sure that the two prosper together and in peace, without interfering or causing damage to one another."
The South Korean leader added that cannot be made possible without the role of the U.S. "President Moon said the establishment of a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula can only be made possible with the guarantee from the United States... meaning normalization of North Korea-U.S. relations and economic cooperation involving Pyongyang and Washington."
Also discussed in Wednesday's meeting were the composition of an advisory panel made up of 40 to 45 as well as a media-friendly support system. "The members of the summit preparation committee decided to propose to the North holding high-level talks next Thursday on the northern side of the Korean border in the truce village to set the date and agenda to be discussed at the upcoming leaders' summit.
The Blue House says South Korea will be represented by a group of three high-level officials headed by Unification Minister Cho Myung-gyun.
Arirang News dated March 20th, 2018, reported that S. Korea-U.S.joint military drills to begin on April 1st
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BREAKING NEWS
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from Vice President Mike Pence on North Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 9, 2018
North Korea’s desire to meet to discuss denuclearization – while suspending all ballistic missile and nuclear testing – is evidence that President Trump’s strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working. The North Koreans are coming to the table despite the United States making zero concessions and, in close coordination with our allies, we have consistently increased the pressure on the Kim regime. Our resolve is undeterred and our policy remains the same: all sanctions remain in place and the maximum pressure campaign will continue until North Korea takes concrete, permanent, and verifiable steps to end their nuclear program.
According to White House,
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Xi Jinping of China
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 9, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Xi Jinping of China about recent developments related to North Korea. The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might choose a brighter path for North Korea’s future.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 8, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss the situation in North Korea and to continue the close coordination between our two countries. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe assessed that the maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this critical juncture. The leaders affirmed their strong intention to continue close trilateral coordination with South Korea to maintain pressure and enforce international sanctions until such point that North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. 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.
OPEN to TALKS, NO Negotiations! urges Tillerson on North Korea
Trump will not meet Kim without seeing 'concrete' steps: White House
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Arirang News Hwang Hojun, reported that the U.S. and North Korea resuming dialogue after the surprise summit announcement, the White House has spelled out that President Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un requires certain actions by the regime.
"We've accepted the invitation to talk based on them following through with concrete actions on the promises that they've made. The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea."
Sanders said such concrete actions would have to reflect the promises made by North Korea -- that they stop nuclear and missile testing while recognizing the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises will continue.
She stressed that Washington has made "zero concessions" and the conversation will occur from a position of U.S. strength due to the administration's maximum pressure campaign.
Even so, the move is a sharp diversion from the past diplomatic policies of the U.S. towards North Korea, especially considering President Trump's belligerent rhetoric against Pyongyang.
In fact, on Friday, just a couple hours after Sanders' remarks, President Trump reiterated on Twitter that a deal with North Korea is in the making and if completed, will be a very good one for the world.
And to discuss preparations for the unprecedented summit, Chung Eui-yong and H.R. McMaster,... the top security advisers of South Korea and the U.S. held a meeting as well.
During the meeting Chung and McMaster reportedly pledged that South Korea and the U.S. will continue to work closely together, along with relevant nations and the international community to achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the Peninsula.
Meanwhile, a senior South Korean government official said a South Korean envoy delivered a quote "special message" from Kim Jong-un to President Trump in addition to the summit invitation.
While the content of the message was not disclosed, the official said it was part of Kim's effort to build trust and Trump showed a very positive response.
BREAKING NEWS - PRESIDENT TRUMP AGREED TO MEET KIM JONG-UN BY MAY, A DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH
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According to Youtube Mania, The White House says President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation to talks from North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, but that all sanctions against the North will stay in place.
Kim expressed his desire to meet with Trump through South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong. Chung made the historic and stunning announcement Thursday night outside the White House.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a tweet that Trump and Kim would meet at a time and place to be determi
"We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain," Sanders said.
Arirang News reported that Arirang News dated March 8th, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un by May. That announcement was made by South Korea's national security chief in Washington upon President Trump's request. Chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung reported that One historic breakthrough after another. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, has invited President Trump to meet for negotiations over its nuclear program and U.S.President Donald Trump has not only accepted, but said "let's do it by May."
The stunning announcement was made by South Korean President Moon Jae-in's National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong in Washington to discuss the outcome of a rare visit to Pyongyang by Seoul's presidential envoys earlier this week.
"he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible. President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong Un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization."
The U.S. president's acceptance came after the South Korean official relayed Kim's pledge to refrain from further nuclear tests and move toward denuclearization.
"I told President Trump that in our meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue."
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed the news saying Mr Trump would accept the invitation to meet Mr Kim at a place and time to be determined.
That was almost immediately followed by a tweet by President Donald Trump.
He said North Korea's Kim Jong-un had talked about denuclearization with the South Korean representatives, not just a freeze, that a meeting is being planned, but sanctions would remain in place for the time being.
The meeting, if it does take place, would make Trump the first sitting U.S. president to meet with his North Korean counterpart, a stunning diplomatic breakthrough with uncertain consequences.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the agreement. "President Moon Jae-in said that the two leaders' meeting, in addition to the inter-Korean summit in late April would place complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula right on track adding the May meeting will go down in history as a milestone to achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula."
"Experts in South Korea and the U.S. say the never-before-seen speed and level of developments in Seoul, Pyongyang, Washington ties can largely be credited to the type of leaderships in place in all three. Regarding today's decision, a senior U.S. official said it made sense to accept an invite to meet with one person who can actually make decisions instead of continuing with the "long slog of the past" - a sentiment that's also shared by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House."
According to The White House
Remarks by Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Chung Eui-Yong
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 8, 2018
White House Stake Out
7:11 P.M. EST
CHUNG: Good evening. Today, I had the privilege of briefing President Trump on my recent visit to Pyongyang, North Korea. I’d like to thank President Trump, the Vice President, and his wonderful national security team, including my close friend, General McMaster.
I explained to President Trump that his leadership and his maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this juncture. I expressed President Moon Jae-in’s personal gratitude for President Trump’s leadership.
I told President Trump that, in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue. And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.
President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.
The Republic of Korea, along with the United States, Japan, and our many partners around the world remain fully and resolutely committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Along with President Trump, we are optimistic about continuing a diplomatic process to test the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
The Republic of Korea, the United States, and our partners stand together in insisting that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, and that the pressure will continue until North Korea matches its words with concrete actions.
Statement from Vice President Mike Pence on North Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 6, 2018
Whichever direction talks with North Korea go, we will be firm in our resolve. The United States and our allies remain committed to applying maximum pressure on the Kim regime to end their nuclear program. All options are on the table and our posture toward the regime will not change until we see credible, verifiable, and concrete steps toward denuclearization.
end main.
March 8th 2018: Arirang News: [LIVE/NEWSCENTER] S. Korean president's chief envoys leave for U.S. carrying "plus alpha"...
According to Arirang News, Moon Connyoung, the Blue House."
Dated 8th, 2018,
South Korea's presidential envoys are now heading to Washington to discuss the outcome of their North Korea trip with their U.S. counterparts.
The meetings will be critical in the next phase of the latest detente with North Korea: Pyongyang, Washington talks on denuclearization.
Arirang News chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung explains that Two days after they returned from a historic trip to North Korea, South Korea's chief presidential envoys headed for the U.S. on Thursday to meet officials there and discuss the outcome of their meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un earlier in the week. "At this point I cannot discuss any details of this trip. But, the most urgent issue for us is to make sure the United States and North Korea will engage in talks."
President Moon Jae-in's directors of National Security Office and National Intelligence Service are scheduled to meet with their U.S. counterparts over the next two days and possibly even President Donald Trump.
U.S. officials will be looking to see if the South's Chung Eui-yong and Suh Hoon reaffirm that the North's Kim has promised to refrain from nuclear and missile tests and to engage in negotiations on giving up its nuclear arsenal if its security is guaranteed.
"Obviously, we are cautiously optimistic that there's some forward progress here. But we've been optimistic before so we're going to have watch actions and see if they match words"
That much was announced by the South Koreans upon return from their Pyongyang trip earlier this week, but the South Korean leader's chief envoys have said they are carrying additional offers from North Korea's Kim Jong-un to pass on to U.S. President Trump.
They did not announce what the "plus alpha" entails but local media in South Korea are raising speculations. Among them - Pyongyang's vow to halt its development of intercontinental ballistic missiles BUT dependent on (quote) U.S. attitude to the release of three U.S. citizens detained in the reclusive state.
If Washington takes up on the offer, the Americans' step likely will be to ask the North Koreans directly reiterate that position which could be done through a special envoy from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"If North Korea reaffirms that stance, that probably would represent a sufficient basis for the U.S. to begin talking with North Korea.
But, the ball is now in the U.S. President Donald Trump's court.
What's for sure is that the" plus alpha" that South Korea's presidential envoys are to pass on to Washington will serve as the make-it or break-it factor in what has the potential to become a historic turning point.
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March 6th 2018: Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Löfven of Sweden in Joint Press Conferencerence
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Löfven of Sweden in Joint Press Conference
Foreign Policy
Issued on: March 6, 2018
East Room
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. I’m honored to be joined by Prime Minister Löfven of Sweden at our first meeting in the White House.he White House.
Sweden is one of our oldest and closest partners, and was among the first European nations to offer the United States an unsolicited treaty of friendship — a treaty signed, believe it or That’s a long time ago. long time ago.
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PRESIDENT TRUMP: That was something, huh? That But that wasn’t expected, but that’s okay. We’ll take it. nbsp;We’ll take it. Right? All of the athletes should be immensely proud of the great job they did.
The Prime Minister and I have just concluded a series of very productive meetings. The relationship between the United States and Sweden is one based on shared values, including respect for individual rights, the rule of law, and human dignity. These common principles are the foundation of our partnership. And we have had a great partnership for many years.
We look forward to exploring further opportunities to increase our security and our cooperation in every other way. And we encourage nations around the world to share responsibility for our common defense.
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The United States is also grateful to Sweden for advocating for Americans detai I particularly want to thank the Swedish government for its assistance in securing the release of American college student Otto Warmbier last year. Warmbier last year. Terr We continue to pray for Otto’s parents, Fred and Cindy — two terrific people — over the tragic death of their son. death of their son.
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In economic matters, we are striving for a relationship grounded in fairness and reciprocity. The United States is one of the largest investors in Sweden, and the Swedish investments in the United States support over 200,000 American jobs.
Earlier this afternoon, I heard from several Swedish business executives — some of the greatest in the world. Where are you, folks? Please. Some of the great execu People I’ve known for a long time and certainly know of. certainly know of. And they’re investing tremendous amounts of money in the United States and supporting, also, vocational training for American workers. We are grateful for those investments, and we are committed to working with Sweden to pursue even greater economic cooperation.
We’re also continuing to pursue bilateral agreements to advance I’m pleased that Sweden intends to procure the Patriot air and missile defense system — finest in the world — in a deal worth over $3 billion. th over $3 billion. This system will increase stability and security in the Baltic Sea region.
A strong and balanced economic relationship strengthens security and prosperity in both of our countries. And this is just the beginning. We have a lot of things that we’re working on. And we’re working on them, really, very hard.
Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you again for joining us. And I want to thank your great staff, who we’ve met with, and your great business leaders. It was a very interesting and productive meeting.
The longstanding friendship between our people, anchored in our shared beliefs and values, has greatly enriched both of our countries. And this is just the beginning. Our relationship has never been better. An honor to have you here. Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: VEN: Thank you, Mr. President, for a warm and generous welcome. It is a true pleasure to be here at the White House. This year, Sweden and the United States celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations, and this meeting reaffirms the strength of our relations.
History has shown that our two nations share fundamental values and interests, such as democracy and human rights. We also share a strong partnership that continues to evolve.
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For Sweden, that means embracing new sustainable technologies which permit our economy to grow, but at the same time reducing emissions, and also how we can secure good jobs in a labor market constantly changing due to automation and digitalization.
Sweden and the United States are two of the most innovative economies in the world, and we see great opportunities ahead. Swedish prosperity is built on cooperation, competitiveness, and free trade, and I am convinced that increased tariffs will hurt us all in the long run. And as a Swede, I, of course, support the efforts of the European Union to achieve trade with fewer obstacles and as few as possible.
Turning to security, the President and I have discussed some key regional and global security challenges, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, but also the developments in Sweden’s neighborhood.
We have also addressed the constructive cooperation between Sweden and the United States in the United Nations Security Council.
I would like to underline that the transatlantic link is strong, and it remains crucial to responding to global security challenges. Sweden is a military non-aligned country, but we build security in partnership with others, and we greatly value our broad security and defense cooperation with the United States.
One important example of that is our joint efforts to fight and combat terrorism. Sweden and the United States stand shoulder to shoulder in the global coalition against ISIS and also in the resolute support mission in Afghanistan. And these vital military efforts must go hand in hand with strong political, diplomatic, and also civilian support to create sustainable results.
So, in conclusion, as we celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations, we’re also planning for shared prosperity and security for many, many years to come. And once again, I thank you, Mr. President, for a constructive and successful meeting, and for the very warm welcome that both my delegation and I received. Thank you so much.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much.
John.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. You spoke about North Korea in the Oval Office, so I’d like to turn to trade, if I could. My understanding is that the Prime Minister came to you with a message from the European Union Commission President saying, if you put tariffs on steel and aluminum, we’ll slap you back with punitive tariffs on bourbon and jeans and the motorcycles that you talk about from Wisconsin. Are you still planning on going ahead with these tariffs? There are some people in your party who have suggested it’s not a good idea.
And, Prime Minister Löfven, what’s your perspective on tariffs? And what message did you convey to the President from Sweden and from the European Union? Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the United States has been taken advantage of by other countries, both friendly and not so friendly, for many, many decades. And we have a trade deficit of $800 billion a year, and that’s not going to happen with me. We have been mistreated by many, sometimes fairly, but there are, really, very few instances where that’s taken place.
And I don’t blame the countries. I blame our leadership for allowing it to happen. When I was with President Xi in China — as an example, we lose $500 billion a year on trade. We have a deficit of approximately $500 billion a year with China. And we’re doing things with China which are very strong, but they understand it. But I was with him and I said to him in public, I said, “Look, I’m not blaming you. I blame our people for not doing a better job, for allowing this to happen.”
But it’s like that with many countries, other than small — the European Union has been particularly tough on the United States. They make it almost impossible for us to do business with them, and yet they send their cars and everything else back into the United States. And they can do whatever they’d like, but if they do that, then we put a big tax of 25 percent on their cars. And believe me, they won’t be doing it very long. The European Union has not treated us well, and it’s been a very, very unfair trade situation.
I’m here to protect. And one of the reasons I was elected is I’m protecting our workers, I’m protecting our companies. And I’m not going to let that happen.
So we’re doing tariffs on steel. We cannot lose our steel industry. It’s a fraction of what it once was. And we can’t lose our aluminum industry. Also a fraction of what it once was.
And our country is doing well. The massive tax cuts and all of the deregulation has really kicked us into gear. But I have to work on trade deals. We’re working on NAFTA right now. And if we’re able to make a deal with Canada and Mexico in NAFTA, then there will be no reason to do the tariffs with Canada and Mexico.
But again, other countries we won’t have that choice, unless they can do something for us. As an example, if the European Union takes off some of the horrible barriers that make it impossible for our product to go into there, then we can start talking. Otherwise, we’re going to leave it the way it is.
So the fact is we’ve been mistreated as a country for many years, and it’s just not going to happen any longer.
Q How do you avoid this escalating — how do you avoid this escalating into a trade war?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’ll have to see. You know, when we’re behind on every single country, trade wars aren’t so bad. You understand what I mean by that? When we’re down by $30 billion, $40 billion, $60 billion, $100 billion, the trade war hurts them; it doesn’t hurt us. So we’ll see what happens.
You know, you can also take it — in some cases, we lose on trade, plus we give them military where we’re subsidizing them tremendously. So not only do we lose on trade, we lose on military, and hence we have these massive deficit numbers in our country. We’re going to straighten it out. And we’ll do it in a very loving way. It will be a loving, loving way. They’ll like us better and they will respect us much more. Because even they say — right now, they say, “We can’t believe we’ve gotten away.” I mean, two countries have said, “We cannot believe, to be honest with you, we’ve gotten away with this so long.” Now, one of them made that statement before I got elected. He said, “I can’t believe I made that statement before I got elected.” But it’s one of those things.
We have to straighten it out. We really have no choice.
Q And, Mr. Prime Minister, how forceful was your message to the President on what the consequences will be if he goes ahead with tariffs?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: First, trade is a European Union mandate, so we’re a member of the European Union. It’s a European mandate to handle the trade issues. But as a member of the European Union, I think it’s important for us to try to find a way to cooperate between the European Union and the United States.
I fully understand and respect the President’s view that they have to look after his own country — the country that you’re leading. I under that fully. That’s my primary task, as well.
But for me, leading a small country, depending on open trade, the best way for us is to do that with others, because our export equals to 50 percent of our GDP. So for us, it is crucially important that we have this open and free trade.
Today, also, I believe that the supply chains are very, very complicated to see. I know that, for example, when we sell our fighter aircraft, which is a very good aircraft, the content is perhaps 50 percent American. So we want this to be resolved in cooperation. And when it comes to steel, yes, we have an overcapacity in the world. That’s obvious. But at the same time, it is China that is producing about 50 percent of the steel in the world, and European Union perhaps 10 percent and less than that.
So, to summarize, I think it was a pity. Again, it’s a European Union mandate. But it was a pity, also, that the T-TIP negotiations ended, because perhaps with negotiations and talks, we can come into a situation where the European Union and the United States can cooperate. I think that would be a very good solution.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Just to add maybe a little bit further: If you talk China, I’ve watched where the reporters have been writing, 2 percent of our steel comes from China. Well, that’s not right. They transship all through other countries. And you’ll see that a country that doesn’t even have a steel mill is sending us 3 percent steel for our country. And many countries are doing it, but it comes from China.
So China doesn’t send us 2 percent; they send us a much, much higher level than that. But it’s called transshipping. So it doesn’t look good when it all comes out of China, so they send it through other countries, and it comes to us. And it’s putting our steel mills out of business. Our aluminum mills are going out of business. And we need steel and we need aluminum.
And you know there’s a theory that if a country doesn’t have steel, it doesn’t have a country. And it’s true. So this is more than just pure economics. This is about defense. This is about the country itself.
But again, remember this: We lose $800 billion a year in trade. And I think I was elected, at least partially, on this issue. And I’ve been saying it for 25 years — our country has been taken advantage of by everybody. By everybody. Almost everybody. And we cannot let that happen any longer, not for our companies and not, most importantly, for our workers. So we’re not going to let it happen.
Please.
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: Okay. Tina, TT News Agency.
Q So, Mr. President, thank you for hosting us. You mentioned that Sweden has helped the United States with North Korea. How do you see your collaboration in the future to create a future of a peaceful Korean Peninsula? How do you see Sweden’s role there? How do you both view the collaboration?
And as a follow-up to that, if I may — Mr. President, I know that you follow the development in Sweden closely, especially when it comes to immigration politics. Now that you’ve spent some time with our Prime Minister, how do you view Sweden in general? What is your take? And also, on our immigration politics? Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think you have a wonderful Prime Minister, I have to say. We’ve gotten to know each other. Certainly, you have a problem with the immigration. It’s caused problems in Sweden. I was one of the first ones to say it. I took a little heat, but that was okay because I proved to be right. But you do have a problem, and I know the problem will slowly disappear — hopefully, rapidly disappear.
But as far as our relationship with Sweden, it’s going to be only stronger, only better, both in a military sense and a trading sense, and economic sense. You know, Sweden is, I think, the largest — the eighth largest investor in the United States. And they like me very much because the market is up almost 40 percent since Election Day. So I’ve made a lot of these business geniuses look even better. So they like Trump. But, you know, it’s been up very substantially.
But I believe Sweden is about the eighth largest investor in the United States, and that’s quite an achievement.
Q What about the collaboration on North Korea?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’ve been working on North Korea. Sweden has somewhat of a relationship with North Korea. We’ve been working with North Korea. As I said, Otto was really brought home, unfortunately in very poor condition, but Otto was brought home largely with the help of Sweden. They’re terrific — terrific people. People from Sweden, the Swedish people, are fantastic people. I have many friends in New York and Washington from Sweden, and they are fantastic people.
Thank you.
Q And, Mr. Prime Minister, how do you view Sweden and North Korea and the U.S.?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: We have to find a dialogue. I know it’s not easy, but that’s the way it has to be. It’s a very dangerous situation, and we need all to be very concerned about the development of nuclear weapons.
But we must look at the Peninsula, the region, the world, and this has to do with world peace or something else. So the key actors is obviously the two countries, South and North Korea, as well as the United States and other big countries. They’re the key actors.
We’ve said that we can provide — we can be a channel or do whatever we can to see that the dialogue is smooth. Not being naïve. It’s not up to us to solve this problem, but we can definitely, with our long presence on the Peninsula — both in South and North. We have an embassy in Pyongyang, for example. We’ve had that since 1973.
So with that relation with North Korea, I believe that they trust us. We are a non-aligning country, and — on military, non-aligning country. And I think if we can — if the President decides, the key actors decide if they want us to help out, we’ll be there.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: They really have been terrific. Really terrific.
Saagar Enjeti, Daily Caller. Please, Saagar.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Since it’s my first time before you, I thought you might indulge me with two questions. First, sir, do you believe that North Korea’s recent willingness to talk is sincere, or is it an effort to buy time for their nuclear program? And to what do you owe this recent openness to talk?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Me. No, I think that — (laughter). Nobody got that. (Laughter.) I think that they are sincere, but I think they’re sincere also because the sanctions and what we’re doing with respect to North Korea, including, you know, the great help that we’ve been given from China. And they can do more, but I think they’ve done more than, certainly, they’ve ever done for our country before. So China has been a big help. I think that’s been a factor.
But the sanctions have been very, very strong and very biting. And we don’t want that to happen. So I really believe they are sincere. I hope they’re sincere. We’re going to soon find out.
Q Sir, you tweeted today that you would like to see some change in the people around you. Does that include your Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, or either of your Cabinet secretaries?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, I don’t really talk about that. I just said that the White House has tremendous energy. It has tremendous spirit. It is a great place to be working.
Many, many people want every single job. You know, I read where, “Oh, gee, maybe people don’t want to work for Trump.” And believe me, everybody wants to work in the White House. They all want a piece of that Oval Office; they want a piece of the West Wing. And not only in terms of it looks great on their résumé; it’s just a great place to work.
It’s got tremendous energy. It’s tough. I like conflict. I like having two people with different points of view, and I certainly have that. And then I make a decision. But I like watching it, I like seeing it, and I think it’s the best way to go. I like different points of view.
But the White House has a tremendous energy, and we have tremendous talent. Yeah, there will be people — I’m not going to be specific — but there will be people that change. They always change. Sometimes they want to go out and do something else. But they all want to be in the White House. So many people want to come in. I have a choice of anybody. I could take any position in the White House, and I’ll have a choice of the 10 top people having to do with that position. Everybody wants to be there.
And they love this White House because we have energy like rarely before. Okay? Thank you very much.
Q Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Please.
Q Mr. Prime Minister, last year you criticized the President for drawing a link between immigrant crime and the recent arrivals of refugees. This week, one of our own flagship papers, The New York Times, actually profiled a link between hand grenade violence and immigrant gangs in your country. Do you stand by your criticism of the President?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: First, Sweden — we have our share of domestic challenges, no doubt about that. And we inherited a legislation that was not sustainable legislation on migration, which meant that, in 2015, we received 163,000 refugees seeking refuge. Bear in mind, we’re a country of 10 million inhabitants. So that was a lot. Seventy percent of them came from September to December, which meant it was a dramatic increase.
We changed the legislation, so now we have decreased the number of refugees entering Sweden, and we’re also putting pressure on the other European Union countries to take their share of the responsibility. This is not a responsibility for one, two, three or four countries. It is a shared responsibility. We are working with that now, within the European Union.
And we, of course — we also have problems with crime, organized crime, in Sweden — shootings. But it’s not like you have these no-go zones. We have dealt with it. I’m dealing with it every day, allocating more resources to the police, more policemen trained, more resources to the security police, tougher law on crime, tougher law on terrorism, supporting terrorism. So we do a lot to combat that.
And we can also see some results now in our three major cities — decreased shootings — because we’re attacking the organized crime very tough. And we’ll keep on doing that because there is no space in Sweden for organized crime because they decrease freedom for ordinary people.
At the same time, Sweden has a high growth. Unemployment is going down; employment is going up. We have high investment rates. We are allocating resources to the welfare. We have a strong, strong economy with a surplus — huge surplus — that we’re now using to develop our society with, for example, the welfare that we want.
So the pictures we need to be — it’s two pictures. Yes, we have our share of domestic problems and challenges, no doubt about that. But we’re dealing with them. And we also have a good foundation for dealing with them, not least with the strong economy and the shrinking unemployment.
Okay. So it’s (inaudible), Swedish Radio.
Q Thank you. This is an election year for both of our countries, and I want to ask you, Mr. Trump: What do you think Sweden should learn from how the Russian influence campaign affected the presidential election in the U.S.?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the Russians had no impact on our votes whatsoever. But, certainly, there was meddling and probably there was meddling from other countries and maybe other individuals. And I think you have to be really watching very closely. You don’t want your system of votes to be compromised in any way. And we won’t allow that to happen.
We’re doing a very, very deep study, and we’re coming out with some, I think, very strong suggestions on the ’18 election. I think we’re going to do very well on the ’18 election, although, historically, those in the White House have a little bit of a dip. But I think we’re going to do well because the economy is so good and because we’re protecting our job, like — our jobs are being protected, finally, like with what we’re doing with the tariffs.
But the big thing would be the tax cut and the regulations cuts. Also, the judges. I mean, we have outstanding judges. Judge Gorsuch in the Supreme Court, and many, many judges going onto the bench all over the country.
So I think we’re going to do very well, and I think it will be a tremendous surprise to people how well. The economy is so good; jobs are so good. Black unemployment, Hispanic unemployment at all-time lows. I mean, we’re really doing well.
So based on that, I guess we should do pretty well, and I hope so. But you have to be very vigilant. And one of the things we’re learning is, it’s always good — it’s old-fashioned, but it’s always good to have a paper back-up system of voting. It’s called “paper,” not highly complex computers — paper. And a lot of states are doing that. They’re going to a paper backup, and I think that’s a great idea.
But we’re studying it very closely. Various agencies, including Homeland Security, are studying it very carefully.
Q But are you worried about Russia trying to meddle in the midterm election?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, because we’ll counteract whatever they do. We’ll counteract it very strongly. And we are having strong backup systems. And we’ve been working, actually — we haven’t been given credit for this, but we’ve actually been working very hard on the ’18 election and the ’20 election coming up. Thank you very much.
Q Mr. Löfven, are you guys on the same page when it comes to evaluating the threat from Russia when it comes to meddling in elections, you think?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: Well, we both agree upon that the election in a country should — the result of the election in a country should be decided by nobody else but the voters in that country. And that is also our clear stance.
And that is why our intelligence agencies now also increase in their own capacity to detect and counter, whether it’s hacker attacks or financing, or producing or spreading propaganda, whatever it is. We are increasing our capacity to handle that. We are cooperating with other European Union countries. Some of our agencies are also cooperating with American counterparts. And this we’ll continue to do.
So any foreign power that believes that they can interfere with our election, we will find out and we will call them out very clearly, loud.
Q ;And since this is the first time that you two meet, just the two of you, where did you find most common ground and where do you differ most on political issues.
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: (Laughs.) We — First, we —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Maybe almost everything?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: (Laughs.) Yeah. We — no, first, we — I mean, we both come from outside politics, into politics. I’ve spent 30 years in industry as a welder but also as a trade unionist — trade union leader — spending 75, 80 percent of my time cooperating with the company leaders, with the employers’ organization in an effort to strengthen our industry. So that’s, perhaps, a similar background. Not similar — because it’s different — but we come from outside politics.
But, of course, also, friends differ from time to time. The Paris Agreement, the importance of the Paris Agreement, we stand by that. We think it’s very important that we implement and fulfill the Paris Agreement because of the climate issue. And on that, we might differ. Terrorists, as well.
But having said that, still we know that the relationship is a good — yes, so we can take — that we differ as well, because the values are there and we cooperate very, very good on economic issues, making sure that we create jobs and growth, and also on security issues, both when it comes to combatting terrorism but also when it comes to defend ourselves.
Q Just finally, a follow-up for Mr. Trump. Do you think that trade is where Sweden and the U.S. differ most right now?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Oh, I think we have very good relationships on trade. We have had, and we are constantly in touch. We have, on the military, great cooperation, including design of various components of aircraft, et cetera. And we are — we were discussing that. We have some of the great makers of these components in the room with us today.
No, we have a very good relationship on trade, and we always will have. Sweden is a great country. It’s small, but it’s very sharp, I will tell you. They are very sharp.
Thank you very much, everybody. I appreciate it. Thank you.
END
4:10 P.M. ES
Time reports North Korea To Stop Nuclear Testing If The U.S. Agrees To Talks, South Korean Official Says. North Korean leader Kim JongUn has agreed to meet with South Korea’s president next month and impose a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests if his country holds talks with the United States, a senior South Korean official said Tuesday.
CBSN reported that In a rare move, North Korean leader Kim JongUn met with South Korean delegates in Pyongyang. The South says Kim would possibly be willing to give up his nuclear weapons if certain conditions are met. Meanwhile, there's also growing fallout from President Trump's proposed tariffs. Eurasia Group president and CBS News senior global affairs contributor Ian Bremmer takes CBSN through the latest.
CNN on Mar 5, 2018
North Korean leader Kim JongUn hosted a dinner for a high-ranking South Korean delegation in Pyongyang, according to a South Korean government official.
It's believed to be the first time the young leader has spoken face-to-face with officials from the South since he took power in 2011. Among those Kim met were South Korea's national security chief, Chung Eui-yong, and the country's spy chief, SuhHoon.
Their trip north is part of South Korean President Moon Jae-in's attempt to broker a diplomatic solution to North Korea's nuclear weapons program in the wake of the thaw brought about by North Korea's attendance at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics last month.
March 6th 2018: ROK Special Envoys Returned to South Korea From North Korea
According to Alzeejara and Arirang News dated, March 6th, 2018, The leaders of North and South Korea have agreed to hold a historic summit in April as hopes build for a breakthrough on the peninsula. It follows a high-level meeting between a South Korean delegation and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang. With search News stated that there will be no DPRK nuclear test during the meeting proceeding time althoug there was no commitment about denuclearization from DPRK however, ROK Special Envoy Chung Eui Yong stated that He is planning to visit U.S. and China and Russia and S. Hoon planning to visit Japan
They have agreed to install a hotline between the two leaders to de-escalate military tensions and North Korea has said it would consider freezing its nuclear programme under the right circumstances. Is clear that ROK special envoys has delivered to DPRK leader Kim Jong-un from President Moon's message DPRK denuclearization is very important.
U.S and The world is hoping to have break through that DPRK's Denuclearization and have prosperity in North Korea.
Youtupe Maia reported that N.Korea Agreed On Denuclearization Talk With The United States.
March 5th 2018: BREAKING NEW:S. Korean president's special envoys fly to Pyongyang for two-day visit
Aaccording to Arirang News, Dated March 5th, 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in's senior delegation took a chartered flight to North Korea this Monday afternoon for the start of historic talks.
Arirang News Reporter Moon Conn-young reported that a chartered flight carrying South Korean President Moon Jae-in's special delegation led by his top national security adviser and represented by his chief intelligence officer took off for North Korea Monday afternoon marking the first such visit under the Moon administration and the first in 11 years.
Prior to leaving for Pyongyang on Monday, President Moon's national security director leading the delegation said he will relay the South Korean leader's hopes for North Korean nuclear disarmament and a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. "I will certainly deliver President Moon's firm resolve to achieve a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and genuine and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. My team and I will also push for 'in-depth' talks to find ways to help arrange the restart of dialogue between North Korea and the U.S."
North Korea has repeatedly said it will not put its nuclear program on a negotiating table, while the United States has made it clear that it doesn't want talks for the sake of talks and said all options, including military measures, are on the table.
Chung , a longtime diplomat, heads a 10-member delegation that includes intelligence chief S Hoon with a 30-year career at South Korea's intelligence agency who has been involved in the coordination of the two previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007 and vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung, another veteran official in North Korean affairs for the next two days in Pyongyang that will most likely include talks with leader Kim Jong-un. "The high-profile delegation is to reciprocate the trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister and special envoy, Kim Yo-jong, on the occasion of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games."
;
Kim Yo-jong delivered an invitation from her brother for the South Korean president to visit Pyongyang at an early date for what would be a third inter-Korean summit.
South Korea's special envoys are also carrying a written message from President Moon which they may be able to deliver to the North Korean leader as early as Monday evening if Kim shows up to
host dinner for the South Koreans.
If and when that meeting is realized, it would mark the first time for any South Korean to meet Kim in person since he took power upon his father's death in late 2011.
After the two-day Pyongyang trip, President Moon's special envoys are to fly to the United States to brief officials about the outcome of their talks with North Korean officials.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House.
---------
Meanwhile, same day, According to Arirang News, Dated, March 6th, 2018, The South Korean envoys weren't completely sure of what they'd be doing or when before embarking on their two-day journey to North Korea, but it seems they were able to meet with the highest levels of the regime's leadership.
According to South Korea's presidential office, the envoys landed Monday afternoon at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang, where they were met on the plane by RiHyon, an official from North Korea's ruling Workers' Party.
Ri belongs to the United Front Department, the intelligence arm of the Workers' Party leadership.
Then they were greeted at the airport by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and another senior official from the United Front Department, MaengKyong-il.
The envoys then moved to a resort at Mount Kobang in the North Korean capital at around 3:40 PM. There they were met by the head of the United Front Department, Kim Yong-chol, the same official who attended the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea last month. They discussed the details of the two-day itinerary and were invited to dinner with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Finally, at 6 PM, the envoys met Kim for the dinner at the headquarters of the Workers' Party. They were also joined by the leader's sister Kim Yo-jong, his wife Ri Sol-ju, and his chief of staff, Kim Chang-son.
Kim's wife is rarely seen at diplomatic events, so experts interpret her presence as a way for Kim to try and show the world that his regime is, in a sense, "normal." The 10-member delegation held another meeting with North Korean officials on Tuesday... before heading back to South Korea.
Judging from the initial reports, experts say there's a noticeable difference in the diplomatic approach taken by the regime's current leader compared to his father.
"Kim Jong-il was a reclusive leader who kept South Korean envoys on the edge of their seats, but Kim Jong-un has been greeting our envoys very proactively. The fact that they had dinner at the headquarters of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party is unseen."
The expert adds that although it's hard to predict whether this will lead to dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang the proactive attitude on Kim Jong-un's part definitely reflects a open attitude towards future talks with South Korea, as well as the U.S.
February 28th 2018: BREAKING NEW: S. Korean Foreign Minister says sanctions are not aimed at bringing down N. Korea
North Korea demanding not to have South Korea and US Annual Defense Excercise
S. Korean Foreign Minister says sanctions are not aimed at bringing down N. Korea
U.S. Disarmament Ambassador Washington will never recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapon state.US
According to Norae Wang Korean Broad Cast dated February 28th, 2018, there was concerns about DPRK nuclear tests becoming the furious concern that radioactive contamination and leak and it is becoming a huge concern around the neighboring countries and among the people who knows about it. Also DPRK is continue to digging and breaking the rocks in Mount Manta area to have continuous nuclear tests. Norae Wang broadcast mentioned that North Korea possibly carry another nuclear test before March 31st, if there is one, the test will be the biggest explosion which it may be the 14 times bigger than the 5th Nuclear test.
Meanwhile,
The United Nations Conference on Disarmament is meeting this week in Geneva in a renewed push to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
It's been over 20 years since the conference has been able to agree on anything, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to work together and make progress. North Korea, though, is defiant as ever.
Won Jong-hwan reports. Diplomats from both South and North Korea addressed the UN Conference on Disarmament on Tuesday.
North Korea's envoy to the UN, Han Tae-song, said the international sanctions and pressure against North Korea to get it to abandon its nuclear program will never work.
Han also said plans by South Korea and the United States to resume their joint military exercises will be a setback for inter-Korean relations, which have improved since the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
And Han urged the Trump administration to stop what he called its "provocations."
"Stop all provocations that accelerate tensions including deployment of nuclear assets around Korean peninsula. Second, completely stop the joint military exercises which is key factor that undermines regional peace and security."
Addressing Han's statement, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said North Korea must realize that as long as it continues down the path of nuclear development, it will only face more sanctions and pressure.
But Kang also said the sanctions on North Korea are not aimed at toppling the regime, but pressuring it to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
"Sanctions are not an end in themselves and not meant to bring down North Korea but to make it understand that its future lies not in nuclear weapons but in working with the global community towards denuclearization,"
The South Korean foreign minister called on the international community to faithfully implement the sanctions on the North,… but she also said that if Pyongyang makes the "right decision," Seoul will be ready to work "towards a brighter and prosperous future."
Meanwhile, U.S. disarmament ambassador Robert Wood was adamant that Washington will never recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapon state.
He said North Korea needs to drop that as a demand and respond to calls for it to halt its banned weapons programs.
South Korea would like to see its current thaw in ties with North Korea lead to dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington
However, the U.S. says any such talks will only be possible under the right conditions -- that is, on the principle of denuclearization.
North Korea continues Stronger Nuclear Plan
U.S. says any such talks will only be possible under the right conditions that is, on the principle of denuclearization
PBS reported how deep have been making nuclear materials in DPRK
NORTH KOREA MUST CONFIRM BEFORE TALK OR ANY DIALOG WITH US.
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CLEAR THAT DENUCLEARIZATION IS MUST AND NO MORE TESTS… US AND SOUTH KOREA DEFENSIVE EXCERSICE RESUME BEFORE APRIL, 2018
February 26th, 2018: BREAKING NEWS
February 23, 2018: Press Briefing by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on North Korea Sanctions
Briefing on North Korea Sanctions
According to The White House
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
11:40 A.M. EST
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Hello, everybody. Today, the Treasury Department is announcing the largest set of sanctions ever imposed in connection with North Korea.
This action targets the deceptive shipping practices that have enabled the Kim regime to fund its dangerous weapons programs. Our actions target shipping and trade companies, vessels, and individuals across the world who we know are working with North Korea’s behalf. Specifically, we are sanctioning 27 entities, 28 vessels, and 1 individual, all involved in sanctions evasions schemes.
Today’s actions will significantly hinder North Korea’s ability to conduct evasive maritime activities that facilitate illicit coal and fuel transports, and limit the regime’s ability to ship goods through international waters.
Our actions are part of the ongoing maximum economic pressure campaign to cut off sources of revenue that this regime derives from U.N. and U.S. prohibitive trade to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
We are also issuing a global shipping advisory, in conjunction with the Coast Guard and the State Department, to put everyone on notice of North Korea’s illicit maritime tactics and underscore the significant sanctions risk of engaging in maritime business with North Korea.
We are releasing new imagery of the deceptive shipping practices used by those who aid and profit from illicit trade with North Korea. These images from December 2017 reveal ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other products destined for North Korea in an attempt to evade sanctions. They shine a spotlight on the practices employed by the government of North Korea to falsify identifying information on ships and conceal illicit cargo.
These sanctions — evasion tactics are prohibited by U.S. Security Council resolutions, and we are fully committed to shutting down those who engage in trade with them.
Through today’s actions, we are putting companies and countries across the world on notice that this administration views compliance with U.S. and U.N. sanctions as a national security imperative. Those who trade with North Korea do so at their own peril.
The United States will leverage our economic strength to enforce President Trump’s directive that any company that chooses to help North Korea fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs will not be allowed to do business with anyone in the United States.
Kim Jong-un’s nuclear program serves one goal: to keep him in power, even as his people starve and suffer. The United States will not sit idly by while he threatens American allies and territories.
This administration is committed to full, irreversible, and permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And our actions today, against those who continue to fuel this rogue regime, amplifies our strong resolve to achieve that end.
And I’m happy to answer any questions.
Q Mr. Secretary, in recent weeks there seems to have been a little bit of a thaw, at least between South Korea and North Korea; their participation in the Olympic games. There hasn’t been a missile test, certainly not a nuclear test, in recent weeks. Why these sanctions, and why now, when it looked like there was the beginning of an opening, at least between South and North Korea?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Okay, well, I’d say, while we appreciate the fact that there haven’t been tests, that’s not exactly a terrific standard of what we’re applying.
It was very clear that this has been a directive that the President has issued, going back to his time at the U.N. When the Vice President was over in the region, he made it very clear that we were working on these sanctions. And as you know, there’s a huge process that goes into preparing these sanction packages. And as soon as they were ready, we were prepared to release them today.
Q Secretary Mnuchin, real quick question about the nuclear — you mentioned nuclear weapons. Do we have any specific — two questions. Do we have any specific example of this being used to enhance their nuclear program? Do you have specific examples of where they breached trade to do that?
Secondly, is there a linkage between a speech the President made earlier last week, when he said we’re going to be so far ahead of everyone else in nuclear like you’ve never seen before, far in excess of anyone else? Was he talking about North Korea?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, those are independent issues. Our capabilities are obviously — far surpass the rest of the world in those capabilities.
I’m not going to make any comments on direct — on the source of funds. But I can assure you that he is diverting money from the people of the country to support his programs.
Q Thank you very much. And thank you for doing this. This targets 27 entities, 27 vessels. When you talk about ship-to-ship, like the picture behind you there, give us some sort of scope or some context. Is that a small portion of the ships involved and the transfers involved? Is this a larger portion, or in the middle? How impactful, actually, is going after these 27 entities and these 28 vessels?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: This is very impactful. This is virtually all the ships they’re using at this moment in time. We will obviously continue to monitor and use all of our resources to monitor activities going forward. And we will do new sanctions as needed going forward.
But this is a very, very significant action, along with, I might just say, the advisory that the Coast Guard has worked on with us that we think will be very impactful.
Q If it’s virtually all of the ships, do you expect these ship-to-ship transfers to essentially be eliminated after this?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: We’re going to do everything to stop these ship-to-ship transfers.
Q Mr. Secretary, to that point, and using the words you just spoke, we will do everything to stop ship-to-ship transfers. Clearly, we have the intelligence to identify them. This feels like the economic equivalent of a blockade. Is that the next step? A military blockade to, in fact, block these ship-to-ship transfers if these sanctions are not effective?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I think, as the President has said before, we’re not going to announce in advance anything that we may do in the future on military actions. We are monitoring.
What I would say again is, right now we are using the full power of the United States economically, and working with our allies to cut them off economically. That’s the priority of the maximum pressure campaign at the moment.
Q Do you disagree with that characterization that it’s like an economic blockade?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to confirm that. What I will say is we’re using all of our sanctions capabilities, and we will continue to do so, to economically cut off illicit activities.
Q I’ve got two questions for you, Mr. Secretary. The first is on the superlative, “largest.” Is that just purely the number of entities and vessels and companies that are being sanctioned? The President also called it the heaviest sanctions —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I think we think it’s both the largest in number we’ve ever done against them, as well as impactful. I would just say that this brings up the total to over 450 sanctions that we have on North Korea. I would say approximately half of those have been done in the last year. So we’ve had sanctions since 2005. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve done half of those in the last year.
Q Mr. Secretary, some of those sanctions of Chinese companies and banks that have done hundreds of millions of dollars of business with the North are — I mean, when you say — so just from a superlative standpoint, wouldn’t those be bigger? Your argument is these are more impactful than taking action against a Chinese entity.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to make any specifics. Again, Chinese entities, we will continue to look at them like everyone else. We expect people to follow through on the obligations of the U.N. sanctions and our sanctions programs.
Q Mr. Secretary, to what extent is Russia helping North Korea evade the sanctions?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I’m not going to make any comments specifically on that, other than to say that, obviously, Russia and China are two countries that have traded with them. And we are working actively with both of those.
Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary. What indicators will you use to measure whether or not these sanctions are successful?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: We have both classified and unclassified indicators that we monitor, as to the success. And I will tell you, we believe that the economic sanctions are beginning to have a significant impact on their ability to fund their programs.
Q Could you let us know about some of the unclassified indicators that you use?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, in this setting I’m not prepared to go through the difference in classified and unclassified. But we’ll follow up.
Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Two questions for you. To follow up on Steve, why not blacklist Russian ships?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, we’re prepared to blacklist Russian ships to the extent there are Russian ships. So let me be clear. Whether they’re Russian ships, whether they’re Chinese ships, we don’t care whose ships they are. If we have intelligence that people are doing things, we will put sanctions on them and we will go forward with that.
Q And the second question on timing here, specifically today. This is a time, obviously, when the Olympics Closing Ceremonies are happening on the Korea Peninsula. The President’s daughter and senior advisor just arrived in South Korea. Is that timing more than a coincidence? Or are you trying to send a coordinated message by rolling these sanctions out today?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Well, first let me say, Ivanka Trump has been briefed on this. She’s been part of the team. She had dinner with President Moon. They had a private discussion in advance about this occurring. And this has been an interagency process.
So I think, as I said earlier, when the Vice President went over there, he announced these. These sanctions were not ready at the time. Had they been ready to release, we would have done them earlier. And there’s an extensive process, an enormous amount of work that’s been done with the intel community on an interagency basis to get where we are today.
In the back. Yes.
Q What are you going to do when you exhaust all the sanctions? In other words, what if it shows that it doesn’t work? What’s the next —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I don’t think we’re going to make any comments on what our options are or aren’t in the future. We will continue — as we see things that should be sanctioned, I can assure you we will continue to roll our new sanctions.
So as you know, since I’ve been here, this has been an evolving process. And although we don’t comment on future sanctions, I can assure you we have a large team — the largest ever — dedicated at Treasury to focus on North Korea illicit activities. And as there are more actions that need to be sanctioned, we will do that in the future.
Q Mr. Secretary, you said that — do you mind going into a little bit more detail about Ivanka briefing the South Korean President? Does she have the proper security clearance to have been able to know what these sanctions were and brief the South Korean President?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Yeah, she has the appropriate access to brief President Moon.
Q Do you think the greatest effect by this will be military or economic?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to comment on any military issues. I am going to comment that we think the economic activities are significant and the sanctions are working.
Q But you think there will be military —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I’m not commenting one way or another. You shouldn’t interpret that.
Q Regarding North Korean people who are under the U.S. — under the sanctions, and Kim Yong-chol, who is the military chief in the North Korea. He was (inaudible) in South Korea. So he’s coming for the closing ceremony the 25th. So what is the U.S. position of this terrorist guys enter the South Korea? Do you have anything —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: That’s for South Korea to decide. I’m not making any comments on that. But again, let me just emphasize, our actions are not against the people of North Korea. Our actions are against the leadership of North Korea and the illicit activities, and our commitment to have safety and security on the Peninsula.
Q Can you rule out the United States boarding and inspecting North Korean ships full stop?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: No, I cannot rule that out. So again, under the U.N. sanctions, with the consent of state flags, there are certain rights that we and other countries have. And I’m not ruling anything out.
Q Sorry, just with the consent of state flags. So say a ship doesn’t give you consent — it’s a North Korean ship and it’s suspect — do you rule out then boarding it forcibly?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to make any comments on what the military may or may not do. I would direct you to — under the U.N. sanctions, we do have the right, with the consent of the state flag. And we will actively — and we expect states that, as we give them information, they de-flag the ships. I think that’s also something that’s very important.
Yes, in the back.
Q Do you believe these sanctions will create or will entice North Korea to have a change of heart?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to speculate what their change of heart will be or won’t be. Again, what I’ve said is we do believe the sanctions work. There’s no question. The case of Iran, the sanctions and unified sanctions is what brought Iran to the table. We believe that the economic might of the United States and our allies, cutting them off will limit their ability to continue their programs.
Q What if some of these companies actually don’t have much economic exposure in the U.S.? What is there you can do to pressure them further?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: So again, I think, as you’re aware, we have the ability to do both primary sanctions and secondary sanctions. So if these companies are doing business in other places in the world and that is facilitated, we have the ability to cut off the banking system in other parts of the world. And we will look at that very seriously.
Q Mr. Secretary, are you right now actively considering any further designations under the Patriot Act, Section 311, of any banks or financial institutions (inaudible)?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, as a matter of policy, I’m not going to give specifics as to what we are considering and what we’re not considering. But I assure you, we are reviewing information as it associates with banks that are doing illicit activities.
Q Can I sneak one in on taxes while we have you here?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Go ahead.
Q Last time you were here was because of it. And there was supposed to be this calculator on the Treasury website — the IRS website — so that people could go and sort of figure it out.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Yeah, I’ve —
Q It hasn’t been posted yet. There’s this kind of turf battle between Treasury and IRS and OMB on how to deal with regulations on the tax code. Has this rollout gone as smoothly as you expected it?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Absolutely. So let me just comment. First of all, the calculator is on track. I think it’s being released next week.
STAFF MEMBER: Correct.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: It is being released next week. I think we’re going to give the press a demonstration of this.
And again, I would just emphasize — I think the rollout of the tax plan, we’ve had very close coordination between the IRS and our team at Treasury, and the White House and the OMB. I think there have been some articles about a memorandum of understanding that Treasury has had for 30 years with OMB.
But again, I assure you that Mick Mulvaney and I are working very closely together. And to the extent that it makes sense to reconsider how things have been done over the last 30 years, we’re already doing that.
Q And the President said today at CPAC that past administrations, when talking about the deficits and debt, have let it go to hell, I believe were his words. Yet the projections are still close to trillion-dollar deficits that are going to be racked up in the future years here. Is the administration on the same track as past ones?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Let me comment on that because I think that’s an important issue. Again, as we’ve said, the debt has gone from $10 trillion to $20 trillion over the last eight years. The President is concerned about that. A big component of that was spent in the Middle East on wars, as the President has talked about.
The President has been very clear that getting more money for the military was a major priority of his, and that’s something that was achieved. And as part of that, the Democrats required us to raise nonmilitary money. I think given the importance of what the President wanted to do with the military, that was critical that we get it done. And we’ll be looking at the issue of budget deficits going forward.
Q Mr. Secretary, while we’re on the subject of taxes, where is the administration on the idea of a 25-cent rise in the gas tax that the President has suggested in meetings with members of Congress?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I will tell you it’s something that’s being considered. There is no decision on that. I think, as some of you noted in my testimony, the President is focused on the idea of Internet sales tax. Again, let me just say, this is not a new tax. This is, most states have a sales or use tax, and the President wants to make sure that the states are getting the money that they deserve and that they can spend on infrastructure.
Q Another question on the gas tax. Do you, Mr. Secretary, believe it will be in any way economically harmful to raise it on — maybe keep it on a inflation-adjusted basis as some in the infrastructure community have suggested would be necessary?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I would just comment, we haven’t had an increase in the gas tax in a long time. It’s one of the things that we’re looking at. It’s just one of the issues. We haven’t made any decisions.
Q Have you made any determinations on whether or not it would be economically harmful?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, we’ve done some analysis on it. But it’s on a preliminary basis, and nothing we’re prepared to decide on right now.
Why don’t we take —
Q Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Yes.
Q Mr. Secretary, can you update on the monitoring of the China-North Korea corridor that is the lifeline for North Korea, which is not monitored by any international organization?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I’m not going to comment on specifically what ability we have to monitor things and what ability we don’t. But I can assure you that we have a lot of capabilities.
Q Mr. Secretary, yesterday you met with our Prime Minister, and he quoted you as suggesting that 70 percent of the benefits of the tax cuts go to workers. He’s got a similar agenda he’s trying to get through back home. What’s the evidence to suggest that that flow-through is there for workers?
And secondly, on North Korea — the sanctions. You briefed him on that as well. Do you expect to have strong support from Australia on that —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I do. So I’ve known the Prime Minister for a long period of time. He is trying to focus on a very similar to economic agenda to what we’ve done. He explained to me how he’s lowered the corporate tax rate on the small- and medium-sized companies, and how he’s focused to do it on bigger companies. And he congratulated us on our success, and hopefully that will show the success for him there.
And we’ve talked about this statistic in the past. We believe that a major part of the burden of corporate taxes are borne by the workers.
And then on North Korea, we had a very productive discussion on North Korea. He’s very supportive, and we’ve encouraged him to work with us on sanctions and other areas.
So a very productive discussion. I know he’s looking forward to see the President today.
Q On that modeling, Mr. Secretary, with the 70 percent dividend that goes to workers that you mentioned to Malcolm Turnbull yesterday, is that all in wage growth or some other dividend?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: It’s mostly in wage growth.
All right. Why don’t I take one or two more questions? But I don’t want to leave here without emphasizing — you haven’t asked me yet — we are working on Russia sanctions. I can assure you that is in the process. I will be back here within the next several weeks to talk about that.
But again, I just want to emphasize, I think you know under Section 241, we did deliver both the unclassified and classified report. And as I’ve repeatedly said, we are working on sanctions as a follow-up to that.
So why don’t we take the last question.
Q (Inaudible) related to election meddling, sir? Is that what you —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: We’ll continue to look at election meddling. I might just add we are closely working with the FBI on them giving information, as it relates to the recent suit. And as appropriate, we will look at sanctioning individuals from the information they had.
And I would also just comment, we already had sanctions against one of the very significant people that were on their list.
Q Sir, did the indictment change anything?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Didn’t change anything.
Thank you, everybody. Appreciate your help.
Q (Inaudible) Russian sanctions. Are they having anything to do with North Korea, or just, as Steven pointed out, about the election meddling?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, let me just say quickly, again, as it relates to North Korea, we’re looking at everybody the same. So the ability that we have under North Korea is not differentiated by country. We’ve done over 100 sanctions under our Ukraine and Russia abilities that we’ve done since the President has been in office. We will continue to look at those abilities, as well as the authority we’ve been given under CAATSA, which I think you know has huge bipartisan support, and election meddling.
Thank you very much.
END
12:01 P.M. EST
On February 7th, 2018: Vice President Pence stated that The U.S. Will Unveil New Tough and Aggressive Sanctions on North Korea
Vice President Mike Pence completed his first day in Japan where he met with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, participated in a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the United States-Japan alliance.
The Vice President’s day began with a visit to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. There he saw one of the Patriot missile batteries that protect Tokyo. The Vce President said that the full range of American military capabilities is dedicated to the protection of Japan.
Afterwards, the Vice President arrived at the Kantei to begin his meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Abe. The Vice President announced the United States will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever.
“We have brought unprecedented diplomatic and economic pressure to bear on North Korea through our maximum pressure campaign,” the Vice President said
“We will continue to isolate North Korea until it abandons its nuclear and ballistic missile programs once and for all.”
According to Arirang News South Korea's Moon administration makes all efforts to keep Olympic-driven and N. Korea 'willing to talk' with U.S. even though, Pres. Moon's mention of nuclear although there was no mentioned about commitment for DPRK denuclearization
There is dialogue between South and North Korea lasts beyond the Olympic Games which is important that we need China's support not only inter-Korean talks but also North Korea, U.S. dialogue aimed at denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
There is North Korea delegation Kim Yong Chol who was masterminding Cheonan ship sinking while the respective delegations - U.S. led by its presidential adviser and first daughter, Ivanka Trump and the North by a former spy chief Kim Yong-chol- were in town.
The Ivanka-led delegation left South Korea on Monday and there has not been any word of interaction between the Americans and the North Koreans.
The Blue House did announce, however, that President Moon's chief security adviser and other key officials had lunch with the North Korean delegation released a brief statement that read "the two sides agreed to work together for permanent peace on the Korean peninsula, sustainable relations between North and South Korea and balanced cooperation with the international society."
Little is known at this point - whether there has been any progress in the South Korean president's efforts to bring North Korea and the U.S. to the dialogue table whether there had been any interaction between the two, even if low-key, working-level and whether North Korea has attached preconditions for starting talks with the U.S.?
Arirang News also stated that "What we do know is that something is in the works behind closed doors between the two Koreas with the South Korean president ever mindful that he must make headway before the Winter Paralympic Games end on March 18th when Seoul and Washington have said their mass military drills, which North Korea may have laid out as precondition for talks with the U.S., will begin shortly thereafter."
According to Youtube Mania, there will U.S & South to Begin Military Drill Aimed At N. Korea After The Winter Olympic .
According to PBS News, This American scientist Sig Hecker, has seen North Korea’s nuclear program up close nuclea who has visited seven times and given eye-opening access to their facilities. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on how experts try to access the North’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, Pyoeng Chang Olympic media survey shows that Pyeong Chang Olympic 2018 was a huge success and most of the people who were in the olympic and tourist reported that South Korea had great coordination compare to speaking in Korean for many places and organized very well people felt their kindness and graceful manner although many of social people from South Korean have felt uncomfortable with North Korean Human rights abused person Kim Yo Jong and Cheonan masterminding person who have killed for 46 people as guests in South Korea Olympic Game also Yahoo News, Businessinsider.com, Reuters reported that the North Korea plans to send a man blamed for the death of 46 South Korean sailors to the Winter Olympics closing ceremony puting the photos of Members of the South Korean special warfare command salute in front of the portraits of the deceased sailors from the sunken South Korean naval ship Cheonan during a memorial service at Seoul City Hall Plaza in South Korea, Sunday, April 25, 2010. The defense minister says that a torpedo attack likely has torn apart and sank a South Korean warship that went down near the tense border with North Korea last month.
Anyway, The Pyeong Chang Olympic 2018 was a huge success and extraordinary and made many people happy and great memory to keep in many athletics generated great historic moment!! Way to go South Korea and the world athletic people all of you pulled one world together and exchanging the energetic sportmanship power in a healthy way!!!
Sources:Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, CNN, Fox, References: Eskify, NORAE Wang Vocal King Youtube, Yahoo Sports VOA, Cross ,Olympic chanel, CHANNEL90seconds Youtube mania, newscom, U.S. Military News, Olympic closing Highlights before 2018: Tweeter, Reuters, Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube DOD news, catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, February 23th, 2018, Rev. Feb 26th, 2018 Rev. Feb 27, 2018,
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February 21st, 2018: BREAKING NEWS
News Alert -North Korea Fully read for dialogue and war: state media
South Korea planning to warm welcome Ivanca Trump
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News Alert: According to Arirang News,Yutube mania, GoNews, and News media search dated Feb. 19th, 2018:
North Korea's state-run news agency says the regime is "fully ready for both dialogue and war" and stressed it's prepared to respond to any U.S. provocation with a prompt counterstrike.
The Korean Central News Agency also took aim at the U.S. over what it said were moves to stifle thawing inter-Korean ties.
Also targeting the annual joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington the North slammed the acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea for saying the postponed drills would be held in April.
The North's outburst comes a day after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the White House is willing to work with the North Korean leadership and Washington is waiting to hear from Pyongyang that the regime is ready to talk.
That said, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also stressed that the Trump administration will keep up its campaign of maximum pressure on North Korea.
The Washington Post reported that Vice President Pence stated " No pressure comes off until they are actually doing something that the alliance believes represents a meaningful step towardd denuclearization," Pence told the Post, "... But if you want to talk, we'll talk." Vice president was schedule to meet DPRK officials but, DPRK cancelled before 2 hours for meeting scheduled. Arirang News also reported that North Korea and South Korea may propose to have next winter olympic however, The IOC has selected Pyeongchang, South Korea, to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Beijing, China, to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. As of 2017 no city in the southern hemisphere had applied to host the cold-weather-dependent Winter Olympics, which are held in February at the height of the southern hemisphere summer.
Meanwhile, According to Arirang News, Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News dated Feb. 20th, 2018
Ivanka Trump will be visiting South Korea later this week for the Olympic closing ceremony.
Seoul is looking to use the chance to convince Washington to allow inter-Korean talks.
Kwon Jang-ho shows us how the Moon administration will be driven by a singular purpose when welcoming America's first daughter. Seoul is preparing a warm welcome for Ivanka Trump for her trip to South Korea later this week. She is set to arrive on Friday and stay for three nights.
The main purpose of her visit will be to lead the U.S. delegation at the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics on Sunday, where she is expected to be seated next to President Moon Jae-in. Foreign ministry officials have said that a separate meeting between the two is also likely over the weekend.
There's also talk that President Moon, or another senior official, such as Seoul's foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha, might accompany Ivanka Trump to Olympic events to support Team USA.
Seoul is also reportedly arranging events that are in line with her role as an advocate for women's rights and empowerment.
It's unusual for the family member of a world leader to receive such treatment a foreign ministry official has said that there are no official guidelines to help them prepare.
But Seoul's lavish reception of Kim Yo-Jong , North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, who came as part of the North Korean delegation for the opening ceremony, has led to pressure to provide similar hospitality to the U.S. first daughter. Ivanka Trump is also considered to have her father's ear, and Seoul is looking to court her potential influence, at a time when South Korea looks to orchestrate talks with North Korea. But observers aren't expecting too much from the visit.
"I don't think there should be any expectation, I think this should be about creating a good mood and understanding. I think we need to be careful not to go too far in overestimating her influence over the President. But at the same time I don't think it hurts the South Korean government to have a good relationship with some of the closest advisors to President Trump, and Ivanka Trump clearly is one of them."
When U.S. Vice President Mike Pence came for the opening ceremony, he met with a group of North Korean defectors to highlight North Korea's human rights abuses.
A similar event might also be on the cards for Ivanka Trump to make a similar statement and keep the pressure on Pyongyang.
February 12th, 2018: BREAKING NEWS:
News Alert - ROK President Moon Jae-In At Odd With Trump's Administration If Accept N. Korea's Invitation
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s invitation to South Korean President Moon Jae-in to visit Pyongyang, could complicate the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts to pressure the reclusive communist state, to abandon its nuclear weapons program, analysts say.
DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un's Sister Kim Yo Jong extended the rare invitation to the South Korean leader through his closest confidante: his only sister Kim Yo Jong, who was visiting the South as part of the North Korean delegation to the Winter Olympics, according to South Korea’s presidential office on Saturday. Moon said he wanted to “create the environment for that to be able to happen,” according to the office.
The North Korean diplomatic initiative comes amid growing international pressure, led by the United States, aimed at imposing maximum economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime. Former U.S. officials and analysts say the North Korean move could put Moon, who supports Trump’s pressure campaign while pursuing dialogue with the North, at odds with the Trump administration.
The 2018 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games WHICH IS The 23rd Anniversary of Winter Olympic and commonly known as PyeongChang 2018, is an on going international multi-sport event hosted by the county of Pyeongchang, South Korea. The county was selected as the host city in July 2011, during the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, South Africa. It marks the first time that South Korea has hosted the Winter Olympics, and the second Olympics held in the country, the first being the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
The Winter Olympics runs from 9 to 25 February 2018, with certain events being held on 8 and 9 February 2018 prior to the opening ceremony. The games feature 102 events in seven sports with fifteen disciplines, including the addition of big air snowboarding, mass startspeed skating, mixed doubles curling, and mixed team alpine skiing to the Winter Olympic programme. A total of 2,952 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees are slated to compete, including the debut of Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore.
The lead-up to these Games was affected by the ongoing tensions between South Korea and North Korea, and also the ongoing missile crisis involving the country. These led to security concerns, with several countries threatening to skip the games if their safety was not ensured, including the United States. In January 2018, after their first high-level talks in over two years, North Korea agreed to participate in the Games. The countries also marched together during the opening ceremony and agreed to field a unified women's hockey team.
North Korean relations: Many of ROK people complained with Pyeong Chang 2018 as Pyong Yang Winter Olympic instead Pyeong Chang Winter Olympic 2018 due to decision of inviting many North Korean people to enteraining and cheer leaders even if North Korea is in UN sanctions are involved and people are complaining with President Moon Jae in invited DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong who is on the sanction lists (daily news, Fox News). Protesters at Gwanghwamun Plaza criticizing game's pro-North Korean measures, calling it the “Pyongyang Olympics”
Due to the state of relations between North and South Korea, concerns were raised over the security of the 2018 Winter Olympics, especially in the wake of tensions over North Korean missile and nuclear tests. On 20 September 2017, South Korean president Moon Jae-in stated that the country would ensure the security of the Games.
The next day, Laura Flessel-Colovic, the French Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, stated that France would pull out of the Games if the safety of its delegation couldn't be guaranteed.
The next day, Austria and Germany raised similar concerns and also threatened to skip the Games. France later reaffirmed its participation. In early December 2017, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told Fox News that it was an "open question" whether the United States was going to participate in the games, citing security concerns in the region. However, days later the White House Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, stated that the United States "looks forward to participating" and is attending.
In his New Year's address on 1 January 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un proposed talks in Seoul over the country's participation in the Games, which would be the first high-level talks between the North and South in over two years. As a result of the talks, held 9 January, North Korea agreed to field athletes in Pyeongchang.
On 17 January 2018, it was also announced that North and South Korea had agreed to field a unified Korean women's hockey team at the Games, and enter together under a Korean Unification Flag during the opening ceremony.
These moves were met with opposition in South Korea, including protests and online petitions; critics argued that the government was attempting to use the Olympics to spread pro-North Korean sentiment, and that the unified hockey team would not be successful. A rap video entitled "The Regret for Pyeong chang" (평창유감), which echoed these criticisms and referred to the event as the "Pyong yang Olympics", went viral in the country. Japan's foreign affairs ministerTarō Kōno warned South Korea to be wary of North Korea's "charm offensive", and not to ease its pressure on the country.
Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, attended the opening ceremony. This marked the first time since the Korean War that a member of the ruling Kim dynasty had visited South Korea.
On February 11th, 2018, DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un's Sister Kim Yo Jong Personally invited ROK President Moon to North Korea although ROK President Moon have mentioned that he will discuss with U.S.A. However, U.S.A. President Trump and Vice President Pence firmly believes that DPRK has to committed denuclearization before even any consideration to visit North Korea which many are believe not to even consider unless Denuclearization is committed and for sure, otherwise, ROK is falls into making complete DPRK KIM JONG UN regim.
OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE
February 7, 2018: BREAKING NEWS:
USA VP Mike Pence: DPRK PROSPERITY WITH DENUCLEARIZAION
OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE
According to Arirang News dated February 7th, 2018, Oh Jong-hee reported that Kim Yo-jong's inclusion is likely to irritate the U.S. that has sent its own delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence to counter North Korea's charm offensive. Also Day break reported that she is on the U.S. Black Lists as humanitarian abuse lists.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong will be the first of Pyongyang's Kim dynasty of the so-called Mount Baekdu bloodline to visit South Korea.
The North notified the South on Wednesday of its high-level delegation, and Seoul's unification ministry said Pyongyang seems to have taken into account both Kim Yo-jong's position within the regime as well as the fact that national leaders tend to send their family members to other countries for celebrations.
Experts say Pyongyang aims to maximize the effect of the sudden change of atmosphere on the Korean peninsula... by using Kim Yo-jong as a card.
The scheduled presence of U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump... is another reason. "President Trump is sending his country's vice president, Mike Pence, as well as his daughter, and the North would have considered that. By sending delegates who're at the same level with those of the U.S., like Kim Yo-jong and Kim Yong-nam, the North aims to show it's willing to improve ties with the South."
Pundits add that another person making the trip South, Choe Hwi is going not only because he's the regime's highest authority in sports, but also a very close aide to Kim Jong-un.
Also Ri Son-kwon as a control tower-like figure... since he led the North Korean delegation at the high-level talks a month ago.
By sending Kim Yo-jong to the South, experts believe Pyongyang aims to show the world that it's sincere about improving inter-Korean ties.
They see it as highly likely that Kim Yo-jong will deliver proposals or messages to South Korean president Moon Jae-in... on behalf of her brother. "North Korea could make some dramatic proposals to the South through Kim Yo-jong like holding Seoul-Pyongyang summit talks... or having a high-level South Korean delegation visit the North. So the Seoul government will have to be ready for all possible scenarios."
Pundits also stress that it's crucial for Seoul to maintain close coordination and communication with Washington.
The Security system for the Winter Olympic Game Should be fully prepared for any contingencies and provide assurance to the public so they can continue on with their daily routine to protect homeland and global security in the case of rule out the possibility of an unexpected situation, such as a reckless provocation.