State Department spokesman Ned Price speaks at a regular press conference at the State Department on Feb. 9.
The State Department said Friday (Feb. 12) that North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs are a top priority for the United States and that Washington remains committed to denuclearizing North Korea.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a regular press conference on Friday that the Biden administration’s lack of direct engagement with North Korea should not be seen as an indication that the challenge posed by North Korea’s weapons program is not a priority, Reuters reported. And indeed the North Korean issue is a priority.
Price said North Korea has continued to make progress on its nuclear and missile programs in recent years, “making it a top priority for the United States and one that we are committed to addressing with our allies and partners.”
“And …… core premise is that we remain committed to the denuclearization of North Korea.” Price said.
He also said the lack of direct engagement with North Korea so far is “a way for us to make sure we’re doing enough on the diplomatic front and staying in close contact with our partners and allies,” aimed at a coordinated approach.
The Biden Administration, which took office last month, said it is consulting with allies, particularly South Korea and Japan, to conduct a comprehensive review of North Korea policy following unprecedented contacts between former President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
A classified U.N. report seen by Reuters earlier this week said North Korea violated international sanctions to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in 2020 and stole about $300 million through cyber hacking to fund those nuclear weapons programs.
Biden’s top Asia official, Kurt Campbell, said the U.S. government must decide quickly how to approach North Korea and not repeat the Obama-era delays that led Pyongyang to make “provocative” moves that blocked engagement with it.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed North Korea with his South Korean counterpart on Thursday (Feb. 11). He said additional sanctions could be used in cooperation with allies to pressure North Korea to denuclearize.
Biden said during his campaign that his meeting with Kim Jong Un was contingent on Kim agreeing to reduce his nuclear capabilities.
Although U.S. National Security Adviser Sullivan told reporters Feb. 4 that the new Biden-led administration is taking a new approach, most experts believe there is little hope for immediate progress in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
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