White House National Security Advisor "Reviewing North Korea Policy"... Warns China on Human Rights and Trade Violations

Avoids Direct Answer on Biden-Kim Jong Un Meeting Possibility
China Warns of Tough Response
Biden to Announce Diplomatic Policy Shift in State Department Visit Speech

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Jake Sullivan, U.S. White House National Security Council (NSC) Advisor, stated on the 4th (local time) that the Biden administration is reviewing its North Korea policy in consultation with allies such as South Korea and Japan.

Sullivan, attending the White House press briefing on the 4th (local time), made this remark in response to a question about whether President Biden would consider a meeting with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission.

He also cited the phone call between President Biden and President Moon Jae-in the day before as an example.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the view that the North Korea policy is being reconsidered, including additional sanctions and diplomatic incentives toward North Korea.

Sullivan further stated that under the leadership of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a review of the readiness posture of U.S. forces stationed worldwide will be conducted, and the redeployment of U.S. troops in Germany will be frozen.

This suggests the possibility of nullifying the plan to reduce U.S. troops in Germany, which was decided by former President Donald Trump.

Sullivan's remarks came ahead of President Biden's first visit to the State Department and a speech on foreign policy scheduled for the afternoon. This briefing was the first since the launch of the Biden administration.

Sullivan also emphasized that national security issues will drive U.S. foreign policy and that foreign policy will be conducted to support the recovery of the U.S. economy.

He particularly stressed, "We must effectively respond to China's economic, diplomatic, hacking, and technology issues. Our goal is not to have Goldman Sachs find jobs in China, but to address China's human rights and trade violations."

Meanwhile, Sullivan announced that President Biden will issue a presidential memorandum to protect the rights of sexual minorities worldwide and that the U.S. will cease support for offensive operations in Yemen.