The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voted in favor of Mike Pompeo becoming the new Secretary of State.
Although he needs full Senate approval to be confirmed,... several Democrat Senators have already said they'll back Pompeo, making it likely that he'll be formally approved this week.
Park Ji-won has more.

Members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee cast their votes on Monday,... on current CIA Director Mike Pompeo's nomination for the Secretary of State.

"We will now move to the nomination of Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State."

Eleven voted in favor, and nine opposed the nomination.
It was a party-line vote,... with all 11 Republican members supporting the nomination, while nine Democrats opposed,... on the grounds of Pompeo being too hawkish, and over his past remarks about homosexuality and Islam.

"We are reporting to the floor in a positive manner I want to thank the members of this committee for the diligence they've displayed. I think we've done the right thing together."

Pompeo now needs to gain final approval from the full Senate later this week,... to be confirmed as the new top U.S. diplomat.
His nomination needs a simple majority out of the hundred-seat-Senate,... where the Republicans enjoy a 51-to-49 majority.
Watchers expect Pompeo will have no problem in getting the votes required to become the next U.S. Secretary of State,... as three Democrats on the Senate have already said they will endorse him.
As current CIA Director, Mike Pompeo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un earlier this month during his secret visit to Pyongyang,... to make arrangements before the projected summit talks between the U.S. and North Korea.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.