On Sunday, Pyongyang issued a dire threat to the United States if Washington does not abandon its “hostile policy” toward the North’s nuclear programme.
As the Biden administration prepares to launch a new strategy to deal with the isolated Asian nation, a statement claimed to Kwon Jong Gun, chief of the Foreign Ministry’s department of U.S. affairs, has surfaced.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki announced on Friday that the administration has finished a “thorough, comprehensive, and inclusive” assessment of its policy toward North Korea.
She underlined that the previous four administrations had failed to fully denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and stated that this was the administration’s top priority.
She made it clear that the administration has no interest in striking a big bargain or practising strategic patience.
Former President Donald Trump Sought to Develop Relationship with North Korea
Ex-President Trump made an effort to get to know North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a personal level in order to negotiate a deal to reduce that country’s nuclear programme.
This was a sharp departure from Obama’s policy, in which he hoped that gradual diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang would eventually lead to reform.
The recent statements from North Korea show the country is committed to maintaining its nuclear development.
Provocative acts from North Korea are anticipated to test Vice President Biden’s mettle, analysts say. It fired two scud missiles in late March.
Kwon’s Comments Follow White House Press Secretary
After White House press secretary Jen Psaki detailed the Biden administration’s “measured, sensible approach” to North Korea on Friday, Kwon weighed in with his own thoughts on the matter on Monday.
According to Axios, Psaki informed reporters aboard Air Force One that the United States had finished its assessment of its policy toward North Korea.
According to the Associated Press, Psaki added, “Our aim remains the total denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with a clear recognition that the efforts of the past four administrations have not achieved this objective.”
Conclusion
In his inaugural address to Congress, Vice President Biden referred to the nuclear programmes of North Korea and Iran.
As “a severe threat to America’s security and world security,” and vowed to work with partners to find diplomatic and harsh deterrent solutions to these issues.
On Friday, the White House said that government officials had finished their review of US policy toward North Korea.
Suggesting that Vice President Biden would be taking a different tack than his two immediate predecessors in his efforts to halt North Korea’s nuclear programme.