Bolton: North Korea Hasn't Taken Necessary Steps on Denuclearization

On Tuesday White House National Security Adviser John Bolton noted during an interview with Fox News that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is prepared to go back to North Korea in order to meet with the country's leader Kim Jong-un, adding that US President Donald Trump was also ready to meet with Kim any time.

Bolton also stated that Pyongyang needs to take the promised steps on denuclearization.

"What we really need is not more rhetoric," Bolton said. "What we need is performance from North Korea on denuclearization," he said.

Reuters previously cited a UN report claiming that Pyongyang had not stopped its nuclear and missile programs, in violation of UN sanctions.

Earlier this month, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho berated the US for keeping sanctions on North Korea and urging other states to put pressure on Pyongyang untill complete denuclearization is achieved.

READ MORE: N Korean FM Slams US' Stance on Pyongyang's Denuclearization Drive

In July, President Donald Trump announced that North Korea had not carried out nuclear any tests for eight months, adding that he was getting along "very well" with  Kim Jong-un. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo echoed his words, also noting that Pyongyang was committed to complete denuclearization.

Relations between North Korea and the US improved significantly after a summit in Singapore in June between Trump and Kim. The heads of state reached an agreement that required North Korea to denuclearize in exchange for a freeze on US-South Korean military exercises and the eventual lifting of sanctions. However, the restrictions against Pyongyang remain intact.