Anchor: Amid criticism that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned from his denuclearization talks with North Korea empty-handed, President Donald Trump voiced optimism that the North will keep its word. 
Hong Suhryung has more.

Report: U.S. President Donald Trump’s first response to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's two-day trip to Pyongyang was delivered in a tweet on Monday. 

Referencing the denuclearization accord that came out of last month’s historic Pyongyang-Washington summit, Trump wrote that he is confident North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will "honor the contract we signed and, even more importantly, our handshake."  

The optimistic message came after North Korea issued a critical statement on the U.S.’ approach to the North’s denuclearization over the weekend following Pompeo's third visit to Pyongyang. 

Trump's move is seen as giving support to working level talks that lie ahead, as well as putting pressure on Kim to keep his part of the agreement. 

Pompeo echoed the president's confidence during a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday. 

Speaking during a joint press conference after meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, the secretary said that while there is a long way to go on the North's denuclearization, Kim's commitment to the goal has only gotten stronger.

[Sound bite: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo]
"Chairman Kim's statement following our discussions, continue to express his desire to complete the denuclearization to which he is so committed." 

Meanwhile, Trump suggested that China may be responsible for North Korea's hesitance to move forward on its denuclearization. 

Trump tweeted that China may be "exerting negative pressure," apparently as result of the current trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. 
Hong Suhryung, KBS World Radio News.

[Photo : YONHAP News]