(CNN) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has rebutted accusations that discussions over denculearization with North Korea are not going as expected.

"No one's been closer to that than I have," he told Fox News Thursday. "Everyone else is simply speculating. I've been there."

He added that the North Koreans "have consistently reaffirmed their commitment" to the deal agreed by President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their historic summit in Singapore earlier this year.

"No one was in any confusion that this was going to happen in hours or days," he said, adding that discussions are continuing and the country has a "bright future."

Earlier this week , Pompeo said while progress has been made "on some issues" there is still "a lot of work to do."

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