Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, Confirmed by Senate... Biden's Foreign and Security Team Fully Operational

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Tony Blinken, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, has passed Senate confirmation. With the formal appointment of the head of the State Department following the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Secretary of Defense, the Biden administration's foreign and security team is expected to be fully operational.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The U.S. Senate held a floor vote on the 26th (local time) and approved the confirmation resolution for nominee Blinken, who had passed the Foreign Relations Committee the day before, with 78 votes in favor and 22 against.

According to the Associated Press citing State Department officials, Secretary Blinken is expected to begin his duties on the 27th after taking the oath of office.

Before Secretary Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, and Avril Haines, DNI Director, were confirmed by the Senate and started their duties.

Secretary Blinken is a close confidant of President Joe Biden in the field of foreign and security affairs. During the Barack Obama administration, he served as National Security Advisor to Vice President Biden, then as Deputy National Security Advisor in Obama's second term, and as Deputy Secretary of State.

He is regarded as the ideal professional diplomat to carry out the Biden administration's foreign policy, having been involved in the Obama administration's North Korea 'strategic patience' policy and the negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA ? Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

At the confirmation hearing on the 19th, Secretary Blinken also expressed the view that the U.S. should reassess its overall approach and policies toward North Korea. Regarding China, he stated there is no doubt that China is the most significant challenge facing the United States. He emphasized countering China through coordination and cooperation with allies.