US wants 'major' denuclearization in Trump's first term

Pompeo says North Korea understands "in-depth verification" needed

20180613N Pompeo for N14 (REUTERS)

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, will spearhead high-level talks with North Korea to fill in the details of a denuclearization plan.

TSUYOSHI NAGASAWA, Nikkei staff writer

SINGAPORE -- The U.S. hopes to see North Korea make strides toward denuclearization by the time President Donald Trump's term ends in January 2021, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.

America's chief diplomat spoke to reporters in Seoul, where he will brief officials on the outcome of Trump's summit the day before with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. Kim agreed there to pursue the "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." But the leaders' joint statement did not set a timeline.

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