[Correspondent Column] Stalled North America Relations, COVID-19 Vaccine Is the Solution

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A recent Washington source diagnosed that North Korea is still not a major agenda item in the Biden administration's focus. Regarding the evaluation of the South Korea-US summit, the US side was reported to have been more enthusiastic about promoting investment attraction for Korean companies rather than dialogue between South Korea and the US on North Korean denuclearization.

Because of this, diplomatic circles in Washington and New York analyzed that the South Korea-US relationship is flowing more toward economic relations rather than security. One source also said, "Even in the joint statement of this South Korea-US summit, it feels like the South Korea-US relationship has changed tremendously."

The shift of the South Korea-US relationship toward an economic focus means that South Korea's status has changed significantly compared to the past. On the other hand, it also shows that the US's interest in the North Korean issue has decreased compared to before.

It is already clearly evident that the US's interest is directed not at North Korea but at Taiwan in terms of containing China. The influence of Taiwan and TSMC was confirmed through the global semiconductor supply chain crisis, and Taiwan has emerged as a special treatment country for the US to contain China. Compared to Taiwan, the US's interest in Israel has relatively declined to the extent that such an evaluation has been made.

In this situation, the US even provided Taiwan with 2.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Although COVID-19 is resurging in Taiwan, there was no justification for the US to directly supply such an amount of vaccines. Taiwan is neither a neighboring country of the US nor experiencing a public health collapse. This would not have been possible if it were not for TSMC's semiconductors and the aim to counter China.

Here, the absolute strength of US vaccine diplomacy is revealed. Currently, the US is the only country that can actively provide vaccines abroad. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which show definite preventive effects, are produced by US pharmaceutical companies. Although China is trying to expand its global influence through supplying its own vaccines, trust in Chinese vaccines cannot compare to that of US-made vaccines.

The US has long since surpassed the point of vaccine oversupply. The Javits Center, a large convention facility in New York City, is preparing to conclude its role as a massive vaccination center and return to its original function. Most vaccination centers have also announced plans to cease operations around June. This is natural as there are no more people willing to get vaccinated.

The vaccines, which the US secured with great difficulty at the cost of 600,000 victims, must now become the hope of the world. The G7's decision to donate 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines was greatly influenced by the US taking the lead by providing 500 million doses.

The US has stated that it will provide vaccines for low-income countries. If this opportunity is used for the US to directly support North Korea with vaccines, it could serve as sufficient groundwork for the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue.

Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, who desperately needs economic reconstruction, also definitely needs vaccines. From the US side, it would be much faster to open the door to exchanges between the two countries through vaccine provision rather than the difficult lifting of sanctions on North Korea. It is not necessarily required for the US government to take the lead. Vaccination can be administered only to civilians through humanitarian aid organizations. This can naturally expand contact between North Korea and the US.

Coincidentally, Kim Jong-un has hinted at his willingness to engage in dialogue with the US. The reality that controlling COVID-19 through lockdowns is impossible worldwide is becoming increasingly apparent. Secretary Kim should not overlook the fact that the virus could cause a crisis that might collapse the very foundation of his 70 years of rule.