US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went to North Korea expecting a warm welcome, following the display of cordiality between US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Contrary to what he was expecting, he met with lukewarm enthusiasm to get any talks going and any deals completed.
North Korea defended its position by saying that Kim Jong Un was busy exploring his country. As its leader, according to CBS News, the current Kim must be aware of everything that's happening within North Korea. The visit of Secretary Pompeo, unfortunately, coincided with the leader's visit to a potato farm found within Samjiyon country, on the outskirts of North Korea near the Chinese border.
Visiting the Junghung potato farm, in particular, the leader-as reported by the country's official news agency KCNA-advised the staff that high-yield varieties of potatoes are needed to ensure the quality of food the people are to eat. It is also needed to raise the quality of overall potato production.
He rounded up the visit by meeting with county officials. The area is within Mount Paektu's vicinity. The place is considered sacred to North Koreans for more than one reason-one, it is supposed to be where the Korean people originated. Secondly, it is supposedly the birthplace of Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il.
If American statements are to be believed, the meeting was a big disappointment, with things going as sour as they could have, CNN reports.
A source was quoted to have said that the North Korean side was 'just messing around' and 'not serious' about keeping their word. It has been big news that Kim Jong Un's meeting with Donald Trump was positive for both countries and a step towards denuclearization. However, what happened with Pompeo's supposed meeting was allegedly a step backward.
While America claims disappointments with the meeting, North Korea has something to say as well. They said that the American delegation led by Pompeo carried themselves differently than the Trump-led party, calling their actions 'regrettable.'
