No Proactive Negotiation Proposal or Conciliatory Measures Expected
China's UN Ambassador: "Diplomatic Efforts Are the Right Direction"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken emphasized that the Biden administration's North Korea policy focuses on diplomacy, but made it clear that North Korea must take the initiative in engaging in dialogue first, and that the U.S. will not make any preemptive negotiation proposals. This statement is interpreted as emphasizing that even if North Korea escalates provocations, the Biden administration has no intention of actively reaching out for negotiations as the previous Donald Trump administration did.
According to foreign media including CNN on the 3rd (local time), Secretary Blinken, during a joint virtual press conference with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab while attending the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting, said, "The Biden administration's new North Korea policy focuses on diplomacy, and we hope North Korea seizes the opportunity to engage diplomatically," adding, "We will observe what North Korea says and actually does over the coming months."
Blinken's remarks came after North Korea expressed opposition to President Biden's new North Korea policy in a statement, warning that it would face a "very serious situation" and leaving open the possibility of provocations. The statement is interpreted as clarifying that while the U.S. North Korea policy will principally continue through dialogue and negotiations, the U.S. has no intention of taking conciliatory measures to preemptively lead negotiations even if North Korea provokes.
Earlier, on the 30th of last month, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated in a briefing, "We will neither focus on the summit-style comprehensive deal pursued by the Trump administration nor rely on the 'strategic patience' of the Obama administration." The main message was not to expect active negotiation engagement from the U.S. as was the case during the previous Trump administration.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations Security Council on the same day, Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, mentioned the Biden administration's new North Korea policy direction and called for easing sanctions on North Korea and promoting dialogue. He emphasized, "I hope the results of the U.S. review of its North Korea policy will place importance on diplomatic efforts and dialogue rather than emphasizing extreme sanctions," adding, "Based on what we have observed over the past few years, diplomatic efforts are the right direction."
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