Yves Herman/Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday painted a rosy picture of what relations between Pyongyang and Washington could be like if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un keeps his word on denuclearization, saying he could get “security assurances” as well as investments from U.S. companies. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Pompeo said “private sector Americans, not the U.S. taxpayer” could “help build out the energy grid that needs enormous amounts of electricity in North Korea.” He also hinted at possible “sanctions relief,” despite President Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, ruling out any chances of “economic aid” in a separate interview. While not ruling out a potential U.S. push for “regime change,” Pompeo said “security assurances” would likely have to be made to Kim. His comments came after a meeting with the North Korean leader last week in Pyongyang ahead of a June 12 Trump-Kim summit in Singapore. Asked about his impressions of Kim, Pompeo told CBS’ Face the Nation the man Trump previously mocked as “little rocket man” is “very knowledgeable” and “capable of engaging in a complex set of discussions.”