Biden Transition Team to Review Letters from Kim and Trump (Comprehensive)

Policy Understanding Completed and North Korea Policy Likely Decided After Dialogue with Allies
Our Government Official "Proposes Swift Appointment of Vice Chairman's Successor"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] President-elect Joe Biden's team is reviewing the letters exchanged between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.

Contrary to expectations on our side, the Biden team is expected to formulate North Korea policy after fully understanding the Trump administration's North Korea policy and consulting with allies.

CNN reported on the 3rd (local time) that the Biden transition team will soon gain access to the letters between President Trump and Chairman Kim.

According to State Department officials, a meeting between the transition team and State Department officials regarding North Korea issues is expected within a few weeks. The review of the Trump-Kim letters is also likely to be conducted by Biden's State Department team.

A source told CNN, "The letters could help richly portray a psychological profile of Kim Jong-un and provide insight into his thoughts or at least his approach to the relationship with Trump."

The source added, "The letters are known to be full of flowery language but lacking in substantive content, and Trump referred to them as 'love letters,'" downplaying the significance of the letters' content.

CNN cited sources saying that the Biden administration will concretize its North Korea policy after meeting with allied and partner country leaders. This is interpreted as an intention to take time to prepare countermeasures rather than attempting an early approach to North Korea during the initial period of administration.

CNN also reported, "Biden is expected to adopt a more traditional approach than Trump, involving allies and partners rather than acting unilaterally."

The source further introduced that defense planning, training, and military posture adjustments are also under review.

However, CNN cited former officials saying that Tony Blinken, the nominee for Secretary of State, appears open to diplomacy with North Korea.

CNN mentioned concerns from some South Korean officials and North Korea experts in the U.S. regarding Biden's moves on North Korea. They worry that North Korea might lead the atmosphere with missile provocations early in the Biden administration.

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell, said in a keynote speech at a webinar co-hosted by the Atlantic Council and the Korea Foundation (KF) a day earlier, "North Korea generally ranks at the top of the list of unpredictability in Asia," and added, "One of the key challenges for the Biden administration is the need to decide early on what to do about North Korea."

A senior official from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs also revealed that they requested the Biden team to appoint a State Department Special Representative for North Korea early. The explanation is that appointing a successor to Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun as soon as possible would signal a willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea.

CNN reported, "North Korea often launched missiles early in new U.S. administrations, which would push the Biden team into a defensive posture rather than an offensive one."