Biden: "Trump, Best Friends with Kim Jong-un... Embracing Global Gangsters"

Biden Criticizes Trump’s Foreign Policy for Lack of Consistency
Condemns Deterioration of Alliances Including NATO

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate of the United States, criticized the foreign policy of President Donald Trump, saying it "embraces all the thugs in the world." Among the thugs Biden referred to was Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 15th (local time), Biden made these remarks during a town hall event with ABC at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in response to a question about President Trump's foreign policy achievements. He named Kim Jong-un, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin as the world's thugs.

Biden said, "President Trump is closest to Chairman Kim," adding, "He even sent love letters to Chairman Kim." He also mentioned, "President Trump does not try to stand up to President Putin."

He went on to say, "To put it politely, there was absolutely no consistent plan in President Trump's foreign policy."

Biden's remarks are interpreted as expressing his intention not to continue the top-down diplomatic approach with Chairman Kim, as attempted by President Trump, even if he wins the presidential election.

In particular, Biden strongly criticized President Trump's unilateral foreign policy. He pointed out, "The United States finds itself more isolated than ever," and said, "America First has left the U.S. alone."

He also pointed out issues of discord with European countries, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He noted that allies openly say they do not trust the United States. Additionally, regarding East Asian diplomacy, he highlighted the mutual antagonism between South Korea and Japan, the U.S.'s key allies.