Bloomberg: "Blinken Nominated as Former U.S. Secretary of State"‥First Cabinet Appointment on the 24th (Comprehensive)

Sullivan, Former Vice President's National Security Advisor, Expected to Join NSC Advisor Team

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondents Baek Jong-min and Na Ju-seok] U.S. media outlets have unanimously reported that Tony Blinken, former Deputy Secretary of State, will be nominated as the first Secretary of State in Joe Biden's upcoming administration.

On the 22nd (local time), Bloomberg News cited multiple sources and reported that President-elect Biden has selected Blinken as Secretary of State. The news agency also reported that Jake Sullivan, former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President, will be appointed as National Security Advisor to the White House National Security Council (NSC).

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Both individuals share the common experience of serving as security advisors during Biden's vice presidency. They are also regarded as comrades who have worked together since Biden was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Earlier, political media outlets The Hill and Axios also reported that Blinken would be nominated as the first Secretary of State in the Biden administration, surpassing former NSC Advisor Susan Rice.

Ron Klain, the nominee for White House Chief of Staff, said in an interview with ABC's This Week on the 22nd (local time), "We will see the President-elect's first cabinet appointment this Tuesday (the 24th)," increasing the likelihood that the Secretary of State will be the first appointment.

The Secretary of State holds the highest rank among U.S. cabinet members. Given the global influence of this position, the world’s attention is focused on who will occupy this role.

The New York Times (NYT) introduced Blinken’s extensive diplomatic experience and predicted a stable policy direction different from the Trump administration’s abrupt foreign policy.

Regarding China policy, a moderate containment strategy is expected. In July of this year, at a Hudson Institute forum, Blinken emphasized promoting trade, technological investment, and multinational cooperation in human rights rather than pressuring a specific country in relation to China.

On the North Korean nuclear issue, in a 2017 NYT op-ed, he expressed the view that a military solution is impossible and that sudden collapse of North Korea could make nuclear weapons control difficult. At that time, he also suggested cutting off Kim Jong-un’s nuclear development funds through sanctions such as banning coal imports from North Korea.

If former NSC Advisor Susan Rice, who was initially a strong candidate for Secretary of State, does not enter the cabinet as Secretary of State, the likelihood of a woman being nominated as Secretary of Defense will increase. Michelle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense, has been mentioned as a leading candidate for Secretary of Defense.

Jen Psaki, senior advisor to the Biden transition team, also announced on the same day that "the Biden cabinet will reflect diverse perspectives," signaling a break from appointments dominated by white males.

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