[Correspondent Column] The Biden Administration's 'Double Standard' on Human Rights Emphasis

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Joe Biden administration in the United States is facing backlash despite strongly emphasizing human rights and democracy. This is because it turned a blind eye to the fact that Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia ordered the brutal murder of his political opponent Jamal Khashoggi.

This controversy is expected to cause considerable turmoil in the international diplomatic community, along with concerns that President Biden's newly launched foreign policy could change depending on circumstances.

The Biden administration released a report concluding that the next leader of an ally ordered the assassination of a political opponent. The U.S. media focused not only on the contents of the report but also on what sanctions the Biden administration would impose on Crown Prince Muhammad.

The U.S. government did not cross the line. The Crown Prince’s name was not on the sanctions list. Although in the 21st century, an incident involving torture, beheading, and dismemberment of a body overseas was carried out under the orders of a national leader, no price had to be paid. This is why criticism arises that only the feathers were touched while leaving the body intact.

In diplomatic circles, attention has been paid to how Biden’s human rights-first policy would affect relations with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a key U.S. ally among Islamic countries in the Middle East. President Biden chose stability.

As criticism spread over the lack of action against Crown Prince Muhammad, the White House issued a ridiculous explanation. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. has never imposed sanctions on the leader of an allied country and stated that the U.S. has the right to take any measures, but failed to gain consensus.

Although this action has branded Crown Prince Muhammad as a leader who led terrorism against political opponents, its influence in the international community is inevitably very limited. It has become clear that the U.S. is reluctant to worsen relations with Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil producer, and there are hardly any countries that want to be at odds with Saudi Arabia. It is also unlikely that our government, which has put special effort into its relationship with Crown Prince Muhammad, will express concerns about this incident.

After taking office, President Biden visited the State Department and made a symbolic declaration that the U.S. has returned to the international community. This implies more than just a return from the isolationism of the Donald Trump administration to multilateralism.

President Biden has repeatedly emphasized prioritizing democracy and human rights in diplomacy. A representative example is the U.S. return to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In a statement announcing the U.S. return to the UN Human Rights Council, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "The United States has returned to a foreign policy that values democracy, human rights, and equality," which was regarded as a declaration that human rights will not be excluded from future diplomatic strategies.

Blinken also pointed out that "the U.S. withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council created a leadership vacuum," indirectly criticizing China and Russia, which are accused of human rights abuses, for being elected as council members.

In this situation, the Biden administration’s actions toward Saudi Arabia could instill the perception in China, North Korea, and Russia that the Biden administration is no different from the Trump administration when it comes to practical benefits.

One might also ask what the U.S. would do if such a situation occurs again among its allies. The U.S. has been criticized for effectively approving and tacitly allowing the military operation during the Gwangju Democratization Movement. At that time, U.S. President Jimmy Carter was also a member of the Democratic Party, like President Biden.