US to help N Korea economically if it gets rid of nuclear weapons

Washington, May 12: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced here on Friday that the US government “would be willing” to offer economic aid to North Korea if it gets rid of its nuclear weapons and takes concrete steps toward a “complete” and “verifiable” denuclearization. Until an agreement is reached, Washington plans on maintaining pressure through sanctions, which have made it harder for North Korea to trade with China, its main ally. Kang said South Korea wanted the sanctions to stay in place until Pyongyang takes “visible, meaningful action” to get rid of its nuclear weapons. Both Kang and Pompeo stressed that their goal is to achieve a “complete” and “verifiable” denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. (IANS)