North Korea issued a warning to the U.S. saying that it was clear that the country is preparing for an “all-out showdown,” after the Biden administration announced the completion of a months-long review of its approach to Pyongyang.
The US has been accused by North Korea of ‘girding itself up for an all-out showdown’ (via @IrishTimesWorld) https://t.co/h3CuHl98Xt
— Irish Times World (@IrishTimesWorld) May 2, 2021
On Friday, the White House Press Secretary stated that Biden’s team consulted with officials from the past administration to try and determine its best foot forward. Psaki added that the goal of the Biden administration “remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
Meanwhile, the director-general of the Department of U.S. Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Kwon Jong Gun, referred to earlier comments that Biden made when he addressed his approach to Iran and North Korea. It was also noted that Biden wants to address the threat with “diplomacy and stern deterrence.”
Kwon also told Reuters that Biden seemed clear that he aims to “keep enforcing the hostile policy toward the DPRK as it had been done by the U.S. for over half a century.”
On Friday, the White House confirmed that the Biden administration has finished doing a months-long review of North Korea policy and will chart a different path compared to what former President Trump did in an effort to end North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile program.
"“His statement clearly reflects his intent to keep enforcing the hostile policy toward the DPRK as it had been done by the U.S. for over half a century,” Kwon Jong Gun, a senior North Korean Foreign Ministry official, said in a statement." https://t.co/rnALYS9wHC
— LeftistCritic ☭ (@leftistcritic) May 2, 2021
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday, “I can confirm that we’ve completed our DPRK policy review, which was thorough, rigorous, and inclusive,” referring to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
According to the report of the Washington Post, the Biden administration is seeking for a “middle” ground between Trump’s grand bargain strategy where he courted face-to-face diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jon Un and former President Barack Obama’s arms-length approach where he withheld diplomacy until North Korea changed its behavior.
Psaki also mentioned that outside experts and officials from “several previous administrations” have also been consulted to build on their lessons learned.
“Our goal remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, with a clear understanding that the efforts of the past four administrations have not achieved this objective,” the White House press secretary told reporters aboard Air Force One.
She continued, “Our policy will not focus on achieving a grand bargain, nor will it rely on strategic patience.”
Psaki also added that Biden’s approach will “explore diplomacy” with North Korea in an effort to make “practical” progress toward achieving denuclearization and increasing the security of the United States and its allies.
“Our policy calls for a calibrated, practical approach,” She said.
South Korea’s President to Visit US on May 21 – White Househttps://t.co/leLnXlWkUn
— Patrick Emek (@14wombat1) May 1, 2021
The new policy approach is announced right on time as Biden is will welcome South Korean President Moon Jae-in to the White House on May 21 to highlight their “ironclad alliance,” the White House says. Biden’s first in-person foreign leader invite went to another Asian ally, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that the Biden administration decided to pursue a phased agreement with North Korea that leads to full denuclearization.
Last week, Biden was briefed on the plan by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the paper reported.
The Washington Post also reported that the Biden administration will not throw out all of Trump’s effort. For instance, the will keep in place Trump’s 2018 Singapore summit agreement in which Kim committed to work toward the “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” in return for the U.S. providing “security guarantees” to North Korea. Both sides also pledged to “build a lasting and stable peace regime.”
