President Trump said Monday he is actually “very happy” with continued negotiations between the United States and North Korea, despite what the “fake news” has reported.
In addition, Trump claimed, “Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy.”
“But the Fake News is saying, without ever asking me (always anonymous sources), that I am angry because it is not going fast enough. Wrong, very happy!” he tweeted.
A Rocket has not been launched by North Korea in 9 months. Likewise, no Nuclear Tests. Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy. But the Fake News is saying, without ever asking me (always anonymous sources), that I am angry because it is not going fast enough. Wrong, very happy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018
Trump’s tweet pushed back on a Washington Post report that he’s privately frustrated over the lack of progress on North Korea.
“Diplomats say the North Koreans have canceled follow-up meetings, demanded more money and failed to maintain basic communications, even as the once-isolated regime’s engagements with China and South Korea flourish,” the Post reported. “Meanwhile, a missile-engine testing facility that Trump said would be destroyed remains intact, and U.S. intelligence officials say Pyongyang is working to conceal key aspects of its nuclear program.”
During the Singapore summit in June, Pyongyang committed to returning the remains of U.S. soldiers killed during the Korean War. But when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to North Korea on July 6 to press officials for details on returning the remains, the North Koreans refused to commit to a timetable.
CNN reported Monday that North Korea is pressuring the Trump administration to begin lifting sanctions, but the president and secretary of state have previously said there are no plans to lift sanctions until North Korea shows it is committed to denuclearization.
