Anchor: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that discussions are under way about how to proceed with respect to North Korea's denuclearization and stressed that economic sanctions will remain in effect until denuclearization is achieved.
Kim Soyon has more.
Report: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News Sunday more U.S.- North Korea diplomacy has been going on than meets the eye.
[Sound bite: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo]
"There are lots of conversations taking place. There's lots of work being done. It isn't all visible to the public, but we are fully engaged in the process."
He said the two sides have discussed specific facilities and weapons systems. Pompeo says conversations are ongoing, and that the U.S. remains patient and engaged.
However, he said it is economic sanctions that have induced the North Korean leader to come as far as he has come to date, and that they will remain in effect until there is more progress on denuclearization.
[Sound bite: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo]
"We understand the objective and economic sanctions will remain in place until we get there."
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is upbeat on recent Korean Peninsula diplomacy.
[Sound bite: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley]
"The two leaders in Korea both shook hands and said they want to denuclearize and they want peace is no small thing."
Haley said the fact that North Korea did not show off nuclear weapons in a military parade early this month for the first time is a major accomplishment.
However, she echoes Pompeo in affirming the U.S. is focused on verifiable denuclearization and sanctions will not be eased until that happens.
Active contacts are expected to take place between the U.S. and North Korea on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this week.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho is expected to give a keynote speech to world leaders at the gathering as well.
Kim Soyon, KBS World Radio News