The relations between the US and North Korea have been characterized by confrontation, sanctions, and nuclear deterrence as North Korea developed its Nuclear warhead since the 1990s. The relation was getting better during the Trump administration. There were submits at Singapore, Vietnam, and an unofficial meeting at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), however, the deadlock remained due to the disagreement of denuclearization and sanctions relief. On 25 March, North Korea tested two ground-based strategic ballistic missiles which are considered as the advancement of the military capabilities of North Korea. However, the testing was considered normal by the new US administration, as North Korea frequently tests its weapon to welcome the new US president. Currently, North Korea is the top priority of the US that denuclearization in the Korean peninsula is necessary.
North Korea is considered a threat to the US national security and international order as it continued to build and develop a more powerful nuclear weapon and missile system. Nuclear weapons are perceived to be more powerful and would enable North Korea to deter its adversaries particularly the US from mutually assured destruction as nuclear and missiles are the most destructive and dangerous weapons. The North Korean leader views nuclear weapons and missiles as essential for the regime’s survival that without them the US and South Korea might be able to attack North Korea and overthrow the current regimes at any time.
Currently, it has successfully developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that could inflict the US military bases in the Asia Pacific and could reach the US continent and destroy the US. More importantly, North Korea also feels insecure about its national security as Washington has a hostile policy toward Pyongyang that it frequently joint military exercise with South Korea and Japan, and threatens North Korea with military intervention.
Various measures had taken by the US presidents to bring North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program. The Trump administration, went further one step by having a direct negotiation with Kim Jong-Un in Singapore and Vietnam and a meeting at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). In the Biden administration, the US is determined to work with its allies and China to put more pressure on North Korea to eliminate its nuclear program. After Biden came to the office, an early effort had been made to communicate with North Korea behind the scene, however, it was refused as North Korea agrees to pursue talk only when the US stops practicing its hostile foreign policy toward North Korea. The US military based in South Korea, Japan, and military exercise in the Korean peninsula annually is viewed as the preparation for the invasion of North Korea.
In addition, the US in the Biden administration also depends on China and its allies, particularly South Korea and Japan to help solve the North Korea issue. It is believed that China has played a critical role for North Korea to advance its nuclear program and ballistic missiles. According to Frank Aum, an expert on North Korea at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, said: “It’s reasonable to try and enlist China’s support, given its political and economic relationship with North Korea and its overall het in the region.” In this regard, China would have a critical role to play in the denuclearization in North Korea since China also concern with North Korea’s nuclear programs, said Mr. Blinken.
In conclusion, it is highly unlikely that North Korea agrees to dismantle its nuclear weapon. Which it has made clear during the summit with Trump in 2018 and 2019 that The US needs to be more proactive and doesn’t wait for Korea to make concession first, because it seems North Korea is going to make concession only when the US made the first step.
The Author
Sokvy Rim is a Bachelor’s Degree holder in International Relations from the Department of International Studies, Institute of Foreign Languages, Royal University of Phnom Penh.