Seong Kim “Completed within the order to review North Korea policy”… An eye-catching tour of Korea and Japan

It is the atmosphere that the Joe Biden administration’s reconsideration of its strategy toward North Korea is coming to an end. The visit by Secretary of State Tony Blincoln and Defense Minister Roy Austin’s visit to Japan, scheduled for 15-18, is expected to be a turning point for a last-minute review.

According to Free Asia Broadcasting (RFA) on the 12th (local time), US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Seong Kim said in a telephone briefing with the media on the same day, “I think I can finish reviewing North Korea policy within a few weeks.” “We don’t have an exact timetable,” he said, but “we’re working on it quickly.”

The Biden administration, which was launched in January, is looking back at the existing policies, seeing that the Trump administration’s policy toward North Korea has not prevented North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.

President Biden has shown a critical attitude that Trump’s’top-down’ method has not prevented North Korea from advancing nuclear development and has only given regime legitimacy. Instead, it has expressed a willingness to take a’bottom-up’ method that has been followed from working-level negotiations and a multilateral approach that emphasizes cooperation with the alliance.

However, it was pointed out whether the response was delayed without showing much progress for more than two months. Some have raised concerns that a prolonged review could worsen US-North Korea relations.

In this context, Daejeon Kim’s answer is read that the Biden administration’s North Korea policy initiative has reached some degree of completion. In particular, it is more noticeable because it is a remark that came just before Minister Blincoln’s visit to Korea and Japan.

“We maintained very close contact with our colleagues in Korea and Japan throughout the review,” said Acting Kim in this regard. “Because we want to make sure to include their advice while reviewing all important aspects of North Korea policy.” . Regarding this visit, he said, “I think it will be a great opportunity for allies to provide high-level advice on our course.”

State Affairs spokesman Ned Price said in a press briefing that day, “This visit is an important factor in our current policy toward North Korea,” and reaffirmed his determination to make full use of the policy toward North Korea in line with the alliance.

However, it will not be easy to reconcile opinions between Korea and Japan on North Korea strategy. Our government believes that North Korea is willing to denuclearize and hopes that the United States will positively ease sanctions against North Korea and engage in dialogue. However, it is known that Japan is in a strong position toward North Korea, emphasizing sanctions.

How to bring out China’s cooperation is also a variable. The United States is currently sticking to the stance of China’s check using the’Quad’ meeting, a consultative body between the United States, Japan, Australia and India. However, considering China’s influence on North Korea, China’s cooperation in negotiations on the Korean Peninsula is essential.

On that day, when asked whether the’Quad Plus’ discussion will take place when Minister Blincoln visits Korea, “I think Secretary Blincoln will be willing to provide the materials for the discussion to Eui-yong Eui-yong (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) when meeting in Seoul.” Replied. It is interpreted that the U.S. has indicated the possibility of requesting cooperation from South Korea regarding the strategy to check against China.

Reporter Lee Min-jung [email protected]