U.S. has ‘cautious optimism’ on N. Korea talks, aide says
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump tempered his optimism on North Korea, saying Sunday that “only time will tell” how things turn out a month before possible talks between the U.S. and North Korean leaders.
“We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t — only time will tell,” Trump said on Twitter. “But the work I am doing now should have been done a long time ago!”
In an earlier Twitter post, Trump criticized NBC journalist Chuck Todd for suggesting that the U.S. had given ground to North Korea in negotiations. “Wow, we haven’t given up anything & they have agreed to denuclearization (so great for World), site closure, & no more testing!”
Sunday’s comments followed those from Trump on Friday after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to halt nuclear testing in what was seen as a largely symbolic gesture aimed at softening the ground for talks between the two leaders. Trump said that was “big progress” and said he looked forward to the summit with Kim in May or June.
Kim told a ruling party meeting in Pyongyang on Friday that his regime would suspend tests of nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles after achieving its goal of building a nuclear arsenal, the official Korean Central News Agency reported. North Korea will close its Punggye-ri test site, a secluded mountain facility believed to have been damaged after a hydrogen bomb test in September.
Although Trump referred to “denuclearization” by North Korea, the nation’s media have steered clear of using the term. Kim’s remarks Friday made no commitment to give up the estimated 60 nuclear bombs he already has.
Some analysts believe Kim feels he is entering the summit negotiations from a position of strength and is hoping to achieve tacit recognition that his country is now a nuclear power.
White House legislative director Marc Short said the administration has “cautious optimism” about North Korea. The negotiations with Pyongyang reinforce the need for a fast vote to confirm Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, Short said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Pompeo, in his role as CIA director, recently trav- eled to North Korea in secret to lay the groundwork for Trump’s potential meeting with Kim.
On CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Kim’s efforts should be met with “skepticism.”
Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said North Korea’s leader has staged a “great public relations effort” to woo Trump.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also offered guarded reaction. “What is crucial here is how this development is going to lead to the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of nuclear arms, weapons of mass destruction and missiles,” he said. “And I will keep a close eye on that.”
Pyongyang residents, who have been largely kept in the dark about Kim's plans to meet Trump, gathered at subway stations, where newspapers are posted for the public, or around large screens in city plazas to see the reports.
One resident, Son Kum Chol, 34, said he read the news in the ruling party's newspaper. Son said the news made him feel the “future road will be brighter and prosperous.”