Pompeo: Sanctions 'in place' until DPRK denuclearization fully verified

TOKYO - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday in Tokyo that sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will remain in place until the DPRK achieves "final, fully-verified denuclearization."

Pompeo made the remarks at a joint press conference following a trilateral meeting between foreign ministers of the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Tokyo.

"As we build on the momentum of President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un's historical summit, the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan continue to strengthen our trilateral cooperation to achieve the goal set out in Singapore," Pompeo said.

Pompeo arrived in Tokyo on Saturday after wrapping up a visit to the DPRK, during which the two sides had "productive conversations" according to Pompeo.

"During the visit, we intended to build upon the agreement made by President Trump and Chairman Kim, and we made progress," Pompeo told reporters in Tokyo.

The DPRK "reaffirmed its commitment to complete denuclearization, and we had detailed and substantive discussions about the next step towards fully-verified and complete denuclearization," said Pompeo.

"North Korea also reaffirmed its earlier commitment to destroy its missile engine test sites, which will make the region and the world safer," he said.

Pompeo also said that the two sides had established a working level team that will deal with the details.

In the meantime, "sanctions will remain in place until final fully-verified denuclearization as agreed by Chairman Kim Jong-un occurs," he added.

Meanwhile, the DPRK has expressed deep regret over the result of Pompeo's visit, according to Korean Central News Agency.

The DPRK felt deep regret over the attitude of the US delegation led by Pompeo at the high-level talks held Friday and Saturday with DPRK officials, a spokesman of the country's Foreign Ministry said.

The spokesman also expressed "deep worry over the result of the talks," saying that the talks have not only failed to be of any help in trust-building between the two sides, but also could result in the wavering of DPRK's will to work for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.