CIA director visits island near inter-Korean border

Mike Pompeo, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, visits a frontline island, amid rising tensions in the region.

Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA. Photo: Wired

Mr. Pompeo has arrived on the island.Yeonpyeong to inspect the disputed waters between the two Koreas on the Korean Peninsula and "directly assess the North Korean threat to the Republic of Korea at this past and potential flashpoint," US Forces Korea (USFK) said in a statement on May 2.

The island was shelled by North Korean artillery in 2010. Two South Korean marines and two civilians were killed.

Mr. Pompeo accompanied the General.Vincent K. Brooks, Commander of USFK, GeneralLeem Ho-young, deputy commander of the Republic of Korea-US Combined Forces Command.

Pompeo also held detailed security discussions with his South Korean counterpart Lee Byeong-ho during his three-day visit, which began on April 29. He is the highest-ranking US official to visit Seoul since US Vice President Mike Pence last month.

A few weeks ago, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson andDefense Secretary James Mattis also visited Seoul, aiming to demonstrate the Trump administration's commitment to the alliance.

According to VNE