Asia Pacific
08:42, 23-Feb-2019
U.S., Japan stress fully, verified denuclearization of DPRK
Updated
10:45, 23-Feb-2019
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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono reaffirmed their shared commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK and the next-step engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday, over the phone, the State Department said in a statement.
The two also committed to strengthening trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea (ROK) on a unified approach toward the DPRK, according to the statement.
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The phone call between the two countries' top diplomats came one day after U.S. President Donald Trump's call with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The White House said Wednesday that the two leaders committed to coordinating closely in advance of the upcoming U.S.-DPRK Hanoi summit.
Pompeo scheduled in Hanoi on February 26-28
The State Department also said Friday that Pompeo will travel to Vietnam on February 26-28 for the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, according to Yonhap.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a Business Community Reception at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 8, 2018. /VCG Photo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a Business Community Reception at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 8, 2018. /VCG Photo
Pompeo is scheduled to participate in the summit and bilateral meetings with Vietnamese leaders, said the statement.
Pompeo will also travel to Manila, Philippines on February 28 and March 1 to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin. Jr, said Yonhap.
More concrete commitments
When asked whether the U.S. will withdraw its troops in the ROK, Trump Friday confirmed that it is not on the negotiation agenda during his meeting with Kim.
"No, it's not, no. It is not a consideration. That is not one of the things on the table." Trump said at a White House event, according to Yonhap.
ROK troops participate in a regular joint exercise with U.S. military in Pohang, ROK, April 5, 2018. /VCG Photo
ROK troops participate in a regular joint exercise with U.S. military in Pohang, ROK, April 5, 2018. /VCG Photo
The two sides are expected to produce more concrete commitments after they made the commitment to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during their first summit in Singapore.
The possible closure of DPRK's Yongbyon nuclear facility, partial sanctions relief for the DPRK, and a declaration formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War are the possible achievements that could be made in the Hanoi summit, said Yonhap.
Trump announced on February 8 that his second meeting with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un would take place in Hanoi of Vietnam on February 27-28.
(With inputs from Xinhua News Agency)
(Cover: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) shakes hands with Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Tokyo, Japan, October 6, 2018. /VCG Photo)