US Congressional Caucus on Korea Revives Hardline Stance on North Korea

Esper US Defense "Political Agreement Is the Best Path" Despite Hardline Rise
China Also Urges Restraint on Strategic Weapons Threats

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Baek Jong-min] U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has demanded North Korea's return to the negotiation table. Following U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary Esper also warned about the possibility of North Korea's 'reckless actions,' indicating that the U.S. side still emphasizes dialogue, but hawkish voices on North Korea are rising again in American political circles. China also appears clearly cautious about North Korea's strategic weapons.

Mark Esper, U.S. Secretary of Defense [Photo by Reuters]

On the 2nd (local time), Secretary Esper appeared on Fox News and emphasized, "A 'political agreement' is the best path for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." He added, "We are on that path and will continue to be on that path," urging "Chairman Kim Jong-un and his team to return to the (denuclearization) negotiation table." This was a direct demand for North Korea's return to negotiations and restraint from provocations by Chairman Kim.

This is the second statement from a major U.S. official in response to North Korea's announcement of new strategic weapons through an article on the front page of the January 1st edition of Rodong Sinmun, reporting the results of the 7th Party Congress's 5th plenary meeting, instead of Kim Jong-un's New Year's address. Earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also urged restraint from provocations and advised Chairman Kim to "choose a different path" in an interview with Fox News immediately after the report on the plenary meeting results. Secretary Esper's remarks can be interpreted as reaffirming the principle of resolving North Korea issues through diplomatic means while aiming to prevent the possibility of high-intensity provocations such as intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches by North Korea.

China also called on North Korea to refrain from escalating tensions. Given that China and Russia have jointly submitted a UN resolution to ease sanctions on North Korea, it appears that China views North Korea's threat of 'new strategic weapons' as unhelpful.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 2nd, "It is undesirable to take actions that escalate tensions and do not help dialogue in the current situation on the Korean Peninsula." He urged, "We hope that relevant countries, especially North Korea and the U.S., will adhere to dialogue and negotiations, face each other, actively seek ways to break the deadlock, and make practical efforts for a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue."

China's mention that it is undesirable for North Korea to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula is interpreted as an indirect expression of opposition to Chairman Kim's new strategic line.

In response to North Korea's forecast of possible provocations, hawkish voices are growing louder in the U.S. political and security circles. Bruce Klingner, senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation, wrote in a contribution to the security-focused media 'The National Interest' on the 2nd, "The Trump administration's 'maximum pressure' policy has never been at its maximum," and argued, "Pressure on North Korea and its overseas supporters of illegal nuclear and missile programs should be strengthened, and a comprehensive strategy including military deterrence and containment, law enforcement, and human rights issues should be implemented."

The Washington Post (WP) pointed out, "Trump gave sugar to North Korea and vinegar to Iran, but neither seems effective." Christian Whiton, former U.S. State Department Deputy Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, voiced even stronger opinions in an interview with Fox News. He said, "China should be utilized to move North Korea," and added, "If China does not respond, pressure should be applied on South Korea to purchase the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.