Indirect Warning of Possible North Korean Provocations Around Next Year’s US Regime Change
Professional Transition Expected Regardless of Who Becomes President
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Robert O'Brien, U.S. National Security Council (NSC) Advisor at the White House, has indirectly warned about potential North Korean provocations expected around the inauguration of the next U.S. administration.
Advisor O'Brien made this statement on the 22nd (local time) during a phone conference with reporters while visiting Vietnam and the Philippines.
In response to questions about the possibility of North Korea conducting provocations such as missile launches around the time of the next U.S. administration's inauguration and whether the South Korea-U.S. alliance would respond, he said, "The strong South Korea-U.S. alliance that has lasted for 70 years will send a strong message to North Korea on January 20th next year, regardless of what happens or who is the U.S. president."
This suggests that if North Korea attempts any form of provocation during the regime transition period, both South Korea and the U.S. are likely to respond strongly.
Advisor O'Brien also emphasized that "I regularly communicate with my counterparts at the Blue House, and thousands of U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea."
He further recalled that during his visit to Vietnam, he stayed at the Metropole Hotel, which was used for the friendly dinner between North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump, and claimed, "Since the (North Korea-U.S.) summit began, there have been no long-range ballistic missile tests or nuclear tests."
He did not forget to highlight President Trump's achievements, stating that the 'top-down' diplomacy between President Trump and Chairman Kim resulted in these outcomes.
When asked whether allies are concerned about delays in the handover process to President-elect Joe Biden, he said, "If the courts do not rule in favor of President Trump, there will be a transition. It will be a professional transition." This indicated that the court ruling is a condition for the regime handover.
Advisor O'Brien had previously mentioned that he believes President-elect Biden will win and that in such a case, a professional transition will take place.
He stated, "We are a nation of laws, and the president has all the rights that any U.S. citizen has. Once the court makes a ruling, we will proceed from there." Advisor O'Brien claimed, "We are not worried about such (transition delay) issues, and the other countries have not raised any concerns either."
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