[인터뷰:베라 하원 아태 소위원장] “Biden’s strategy toward North Korea will come out after resolving the current issues between the US and South Korea and Japan” | Voice of America

The Joe Biden administration will come up with a long-term strategy for North Korea after resolving the current issues of the US-Korea and the trilateral issues between the US and South Korea and Japan, US Democratic Congressman Amibera said. Even in the new session, Congressman Vera, who served as subcommittee chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee’s Asia-Pacific subcommittee, said in a telephone interview with the VOA on the 8th, saying the United States wants to negotiate with North Korea in a strong position. It also said voices within the US Congress are bipartisan in calling for the resumption of US-Korea combined military exercises. Reporter Lee Jo-eun reports.

Reporter) Biden’s administration announced that it is fully reviewing its North Korea policy. Have you heard of the current progress?

Chairman Vera) The Biden Administration’s National Security Team, which has been formed to date, is made up of people who are very experienced and who have worked closely with Congress. If the House Foreign Relations Committee is also in place and goes into full-scale work, policy toward North Korea will be one of the areas where the subcommittee led by me will work closely with the administration. The first phone calls between President Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in took place last week. First of all, it will begin with resolving unsolved tasks between the US and Korea, such as the issue of sharing defense costs, and re-establishing communication channels with the Korean Peninsula team of the Biden administration. After that, I think a long-term strategic approach to how to engage with North Korea will emerge.

Reporter) One of the main points of the foreign and security policy of the Biden administration is close communication with the Congress as well as the alliance. Is communication between the administration and the Congress in relation to policies on the Korean Peninsula, such as reviewing North Korea policies?

Chairman Vera) There is informal communication. Both the administration and the parliament are currently taking their place. I think there will be a full-scale conversation in the near future.

Reporter) What would be the new approach to North Korea that Secretary of State Tony Blincoln discussed?

Chairman Vera) I think the Biden administration will be willing to re-engage and negotiate with North Korea. The Moon Jae-in government in Korea also wants to engage in such a dialogue. In this situation, if North Korea provokes, it will be more difficult to start a dialogue. In addition, the situation of the novel coronavirus in North Korea and the stability of the Kim Jong-un regime can also be a variable (in starting a dialogue with North Korea).

Reporter) Biden’s Administration’s National Security Team is made up of personnel with rich knowledge and experience on the North Korean issue, but some point out that it may be difficult to think outside of the existing framework.

Chairman Vera) The current situation in North Korea is very different compared to the end of the Obama administration, so I do not raise such concerns. North Korea’s missile technology and capabilities are more advanced than four years ago, and one of the variables is that the Trump administration was involved in direct dialogue with North Korea. Once a comprehensive assessment of these situations is complete, there is no reason for the Biden administration to be reluctant to negotiate with North Korea. I’ll just negotiate in a strong position.

Reporter) How long will it take for the Biden administration to complete its review of North Korea policy?

Chairman Vera) I don’t think there is a specific timeline. As mentioned earlier, the initial focus will be on resolving unsolved tasks between the US and Korea. Next, I think we will deal with the issue of the US-Korea-Japan trilateral relationship. This is because when these problems are resolved, we can negotiate with North Korea in a strong position. I think South Korea’s Moon Jae-in administration is also welcoming the US’s more traditional approach to diplomacy.

Reporter) Some have pointed out that the South Korean government’s stance, which wants an early, more concessive approach to North Korea, may lead to conflict with the Biden administration. Do you agree?

Chairman Vera) The United States should do the same, but on the contrary, I hope that the Moon Jae-in administration in Korea also consults with the Biden administration. If you want to negotiate in a strong position, I don’t think you should make any concessions to North Korea under the current situation until dialogue and negotiations with North Korea resume.

Reporter) The first question to be faced is whether the US-Korea combined military exercises scheduled for March will resume. Will the Biden administration accept the South Korean government’s position to coordinate training so as not to stimulate North Korea?

Chairman Vera) I don’t want to predict the administration’s decision, but there seems to be a strong bipartisan voice in the US Congress that coalition training should be resumed. First of all, there is a strong voice within our committee that coalition exercises are very necessary for military readiness. There is no harm in resuming some of these exercises.

Reporter) There is a controversy over Korea’s anti-North Korean warfare law. There is also strong criticism in some parts of the US Congress. How do you see it?

Chairman Vera) On this issue, I spoke with the Korean ambassador to the US, as well as representatives from the Korean side, and Elliot Engel (formerly) Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We thought it was not the right time for Korea to pass the anti-North Korea warfare ban, but the Korean National Assembly and Moon Jae-in government enforced the passage of the law. I think this issue should have been part of a bigger deal with North Korea. This is because it shouldn’t be a situation where you can’t give anything to North Korea and receive anything.

So far, I have heard views on the Biden administration and policies on the Korean Peninsula from the Democratic Party’s House Foreign Relations Committee Asia-Pacific subcommittee chairman Amibera. Reporter Lee Jo-eun was in the interview.