North Korea still producing material for nuclear bombs despite denuclearisation pledge, Mike Pompeo says

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, pictured, is still producing materials for nuclear weapons, Mike Pompeo says
AP

North Korea is still producing material for nuclear bombs despite the regime leader’s pledge to denuclearise, Mike Pompeo has said.

The US Secretary of State told a Senate hearing that Kim Jong-un continues to produce “fissile material” but declined to answer if he was still pursuing ballistic missiles.

Asked at the committee on Wednesday if the North was still creating the material, Mr Pompeo replied: “Yes, that's correct ... Yes, they continue to produce fissile material."

But he urged that progress was being made in talks with North Korea that stemmed from an unprecedented June 12 summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader.

Mike Pompeo: North Korea continues to produce material for nuclear bombs
REUTERS

He said the US was engaged in "patient diplomacy" to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but would not let the process "drag out to no end."

Briefing on his July 5-7 visit to North Korea, Mr Pompeo said he had emphasised this position in "productive" discussions with his North Korean interlocutor, Kim Yong Chol.

He said Trump remained upbeat about the prospects for North Korean denuclearisation, but that Kim needed to follow through on his summit commitments.

Mr Pompeo said US North Korea policy was guided by a principle stated by Trump on July 17 that "diplomacy and engagement are preferable to conflict and hostility."

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