Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Joseph Yun told CNN Monday that he signed an agreement in 2017 to pay Kim Jong-un's regime $2 million for Otto Warmbier’s hospital care, a decision he believes was approved by President Trump.
The big picture: Trump has denied that the U.S. paid North Korea any money under the deal after the Washington Post reported its existence last week. National security adviser John Bolton confirmed on "Fox News Sunday" that an administration official did sign such a document.
The Navy said Sunday it sent 2 warships to the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate "U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," risking raising tensions with China ahead of trade talks resuming between Washington and Beijing.
Why it matters: Taiwan is one of several flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship. China regards the self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province. The voyage of the William P. Lawrence and Stethem destroyers Sunday and Monday marks the 6th time in 7 months U.S. ships have sailed in the strait dividing Taiwan from the Chinese mainland.
National security adviser John Bolton confirmed on "Fox News Sunday" that a Trump administration official signed a document pledging to pay North Korea a $2 million hospital bill to release Otto Warmbier, though he said no money was ultimately transferred.
