The challenge of the US Secretary of State in the meeting with the North Korean leader

US Secretary of State meets North Korean leader in Pyongyang on May 9. Photo: AP

One of Mr Pompeo’s biggest tasks will be to dispel growing skepticism about whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un really intends to give up his nuclear arsenal.

This is also the third visit to Pyongyang by Secretary of State Pompeo, President Donald Trump's vanguard on the North Korea issue.

He met the North Korean leader in person on both of his previous visits. Leaving behind handshakes and dialogue, the stakes have increased since the US-North Korea summit.

One reason for the concern is that Kim Jong-un may not be serious about his commitment to denuclearization. Recent media reports citing intelligence assessments say that North Korea is continuing to build and improve the infrastructure that supports its nuclear and missile programs.

This is not a violation of the commitment Kim Jong-un made in Singapore, nor is it surprising that Pyongyang continues to develop its “legacy”.

However, it is clear that North Korea has not taken any concrete action since the Singapore summit. To deal with this dilemma, the US needs to have a detailed list of what is included in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, the facilities it owns and their locations.

Washington then needs to convince Pyongyang to agree to allow monitoring activities to verify information and observe what is happening on the ground. Once these tasks are complete, then think about setting a time frame for specific measures and deadlines for the denuclearization goal.

The leak of the intelligence assessment just before Pompeo’s visit adds to the theory that it may have been intended to let Pyongyang know that it was still being watched.

Risks remain since the US-North Korea summit. Photo: Getty

The big question, however, is what Kim Jong-un is willing to give up. So far, not much. In fact, the North Korean leader’s game plan is more complicated than he has made it clear to President Trump.

Although Kim Jong-un only held one meeting with President Trump, the North Korean leader had three summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This demonstrates that Beijing has an important say in Pyongyang's strategy with Washington, and will play a key role in shaping the future path that North Korea chooses to pursue.

Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the United Nations, said Xi Jinping has taken power to ease sanctions on Pyongyang. “I believe Kim Jong-un is trying to delay the denuclearization process and do it at his own pace,” he said.

Many experts predict that in his meeting with the North Korean leader this week, Secretary of State Pompeo could achieve some meaningful steps toward the goal of denuclearization.

However, for Mr. Kim Jong-un, “neutralizing President Trump's maximum pressure policy” is the real goal./.