Sherman Deputy Secretary: "North Korea COVID Support Is Separate from Denuclearization Progress"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, stated on the 3rd regarding the humanitarian crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea and denuclearization progress, "We do not link these two issues and will not link them going forward."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a video keynote speech at the Korea-U.S. 140th Anniversary Symposium hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies and the U.S. Embassy in Korea that morning, Deputy Secretary Sherman said, "We see them as separate issues," adding, "However, we continue to support humanitarian aid and the provision of COVID-19 vaccines to North Korea."

She emphasized, "We are deeply concerned about how the severe COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea will affect the health and well-being of the North Korean people."

U.S. President Joe Biden also offered COVID-19 vaccine support to North Korea and proposed support through China, but reportedly received no response during his visit to Korea last month.

Deputy Secretary Sherman's remarks are interpreted as meaning that aid to North Korea will be provided regardless of progress on denuclearization.

Regarding North Korea's recent consecutive ballistic missile launches, she stated, "They threaten peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and the entire international community," emphasizing, "The U.S. and South Korea are fully aligned in their approach to North Korea."

She added, "We continue to believe that a peaceful and diplomatic solution can be found. The United States does not have hostile intentions toward North Korea, and the door to dialogue remains open."

She further warned, "We urge North Korea to choose that path, commit to serious and sustained diplomacy, and refrain from additional destabilizing actions."

Deputy Secretary Sherman mentioned the shared values on which the Korea-U.S. relationship is based, such as democracy, transparency, and human rights. She said, "Many of these values today face challenges from authoritarian leaders who seek to undermine and distort the rules-based international order for their own purposes."

This is interpreted as a reference to China and Russia.

Deputy Secretary Sherman directly addressed Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Taiwan Strait.

She stressed, "Although Kyiv is thousands of miles away from Seoul, if the rules-based international order is threatened anywhere, it risks being undermined everywhere."

She also said, "The U.S. and South Korea are cooperating to align our respective approaches to the Indo-Pacific region and to promote a shared vision. This includes fundamental principles such as preventing barriers to legitimate trade, respecting international law on freedom of navigation and overflight, and protecting peace and stability everywhere, including the Taiwan Strait."

Christopher Del Corso, Charg? d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Korea, directly named countries in his congratulatory remarks, stating, "Today, we face unprecedented challenges posed by authoritarian countries such as China, Russia, and North Korea."

He emphasized, "As historic allies and like-minded partners, Korea and the U.S. are in a unique position to promote democratic values that can weaken the regional and global influence of authoritarian regimes."