Vegan U.S. Secretary of State Says "Possible to Cooperate with China on North Korea Issue"

"WMD and Ballistic Missiles, Weakening Common Interests"
Emphasizing the Need for North Korea's Denuclearization Cooperation Amid Deteriorating North Korea-US Relations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, said on the 22nd (local time) that "North Korea is one of the ongoing areas of cooperation between the U.S. and China."

Before attending the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that day, Deputy Secretary Biegun stated in a written greeting, "North Korea's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs undermine our shared strategic interests in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Despite the deteriorating U.S.-China relations, including the U.S. order to close the Chinese consulate in Houston, he expressed the position that both countries must cooperate for North Korea's denuclearization.

Deputy Secretary Biegun pressured China for active implementation of sanctions against North Korea, saying, "There is much more China can do to enforce binding sanctions and prevent sanctions evasion, and we will continue to engage China on this issue."

At the same time, Biegun evaluated China's role by saying, "China has sharply reduced trade with North Korea and has made efforts to urge North Korea to engage with the U.S. in diplomatic processes aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to all people living on the Korean Peninsula."

Earlier, David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, confirmed on June 18 that North Korea was discussed as a clear area of cooperation between the two countries during the 'Hawaii talks' between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Yang Jiechi, Chinese Politburo member in charge of foreign affairs.

Deputy Secretary Biegun also said, "The Indo-Pacific is an important region for us in competition with China. The U.S. is deepening relationships with countries that share our values across the region," mentioning, "Alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand have helped maintain peace and security over multiple generations."

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