The U.S. and its northeast Asian allies are firmly committed to seeing a denuclearized North Korea before any sanctions on the DPRK are relieved, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday.

Addressing the media alongside South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono, Pompeo sought to downplay concerns over broad statements made by President Donald Trump this week regarding concessions and the process of North Korea’s denuclearization.

“The world should rest assured that the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan