Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State, Confirmation Bill Passes U.S. Senate

(Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The confirmation bill for Wendy Sherman, the nominee for U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and an expert on the Korean Peninsula, has passed the U.S. Senate.

On the 13th (local time), the Senate approved Sherman's confirmation with 56 votes in favor and 42 against. Following Secretary of State Tony Blinken, key decision-makers at the U.S. State Department will now be filled with individuals well-versed in the Korean Peninsula.

Veteran diplomat Sherman served as the State Department's Coordinator for North Korea Policy during Bill Clinton's second term from 2000 to 2001, playing a central role in addressing the North Korean nuclear issue. She also accompanied Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on her visit to Pyongyang, where she met directly with Kim Jong-il, the Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

After being nominated by President Joe Biden, some Republicans in Congress opposed her confirmation due to her track record of leading the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, but the Biden administration has initiated discussions to restore the agreement.

However, the situation has become more complicated recently after the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran was attacked. The Israeli government, suspected of being behind the attack, has strongly opposed the restoration of nuclear negotiations, and Iran has announced its intention to increase uranium enrichment levels to 60%.

Regarding this, Deputy Secretary Sherman emphasized the need for a new approach to negotiations with Iran during her confirmation hearing in March.

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