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Biden visits the DMZ in 2013 and looks to the north side▶ Click here to enlarge the view
Joe Biden, which launched on January 20, is accelerating the US administration’s policy review toward North Korea and entering the final stage.
Following statements that the results of the review will be out in a few weeks, the North Korea issue is gradually emerging as the center stage of President Biden’s foreign policy, as it is confirmed that he has attempted private contact with Korea. North since last month. .
The Biden administration is in the process of reviewing and revising existing policies, with the realization that the US government’s policy towards North Korea in the past failed to prevent North Korea’s nuclear development and made the situation worse.
While the Biden administration has been actively voicing the problems of China, Russia and Iran amid diplomatic difficulties, it has been assessed as maintaining a cautious view by repeating that it is reviewing North Korea.
However, in recent years, there have been signs everywhere that the policy review has ended to some extent and is preparing to embark on the path of full engagement with North Korea.
First, the United States is reported to have been in behind-the-scenes contact with North Korea through various channels, including New York, since the middle of last month. New York seems to refer to the representative of North Korea to the United Nations.
A senior US official told Yonhap News inquiries: “So far we have not received any response from North Korea,” and said that despite several attempts by the United States to get involved, there has been no active dialogue with North Korea. . for more than a year. It is highly unusual for the United States to confirm to the media any attempt to contact North Korea.
Tony Blincoln, US Secretary of State.▶ Click here to enlarge the view
This effort shows that the Biden administration’s policy review toward North Korea was in progress.
Although the details are unknown, it may be proof that the review is mature enough to send some kind of message to North Korea.
It is also possible to interpret that there was a concern that the plate could be distorted even before Bidenpyo’s policy towards North Korea was initiated if North Korea carried out provocative acts, as is often the case in the early days of the US administration. .
Kurt Campbell, Indo-Pacific coordinator at the White House National Security Council (NSC), said at a seminar before entering the White House that the US administration must make an early decision on North Korean policy and send a message to North Korea.
A senior US official also explained that the attempted contact was aimed at reducing the risk of escalating tensions.
Indeed, some comments suggest that the Biden administration’s review of North Korea policy has entered the final stage.
Acting Undersecretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Sung Kim told a news conference on the 12th: “I think we can finish the review in a few weeks.”
A senior US official also said in an investigation into Yonhap News that the Biden administration listened to the views not only of US ministries, but also allies within Korea and Japan, US think tanks, and outside experts, saying: ” In a few weeks to review the policies with intensive and diverse stakeholders. I look forward to completing it. “
This is a fast trend compared to some of the observations that policy reviews can take place during the summer.
Calm north▶ Click here to enlarge the view
In this context, the first visit of Secretary of State Tony Blincoln and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin to Japan and South Korea on their first visit after taking office on 15-18, together with the will to restore the alliance, it is an important opportunity in the Biden administration’s North Korean policy-making process. It is expected to work.
The Biden administration has been reviewing ‘carrots and whips’ at the same time, as sanctions and diplomatic incentives, and has suggested that additional sanctions be included as an option if necessary to induce the North Korean dialogue table.
On the contrary, in addition to gathering opinions from South Korea and Japan, this visit can be a place to explain the lines and positions of the policy towards North Korea that the United States has reviewed so far, and to ask for cooperation and cooperation between the countries. two countries. so as not to make a difference in the process of implementing the policy towards North Korea.
While Korea has shown an attitude more focused on improving US-North Korean relations and advancing inter-Korean relations, Japan has traditionally prioritized pressure through sanctions, so it is noteworthy what kind of tricks will finally prepare the United States.
The United States is also prepared to emphasize the role of China, one of the “key players” in solving the North Korean problem.
The United States is scheduled to make its first high-level diplomatic contact with the United States, China in Alaska on the 18th, and the issue of proliferation is also under discussion. This means that the question of stopping nuclear proliferation is on the agenda and is interpreted as a reference to the nuclear issue between North Korea and Iran.
The United States has expressed dissatisfaction that the sanctions system is not working effectively by taking a passive stance and acting as a “ backstop ” to the international community’s implementation of the sanctions against North Korea.
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