The US has prevented a UN agency from improving civil aviation in North Korea while Pyongyang is trying to reopen part of its airspace to foreign flights, three sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters.
One of the sources described the move as part of US’ negotiating tactic to keep sanctions pressure on the North less than two weeks before the second summit between President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un.
The UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been working to help Pyongyang open a new air route that would pass through North and South Korean airspace.
However, the US has blocked the effort as it is seeking to “pool all the leverages and incentives” until it can see considerable progress in Pyongyang’s denuclearization process, said one of the sources.
“They would keep tight hold of all available leverage to make sure there is no loophole until the North Koreans take action that deserves a…