Korea-US Leaders Agree on Korean Peninsula Policy... Differences in Views on Dialogue Approach with North Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Inho Yoo] It is evaluated that the leaders of South Korea and the United States agreed on the North Korea policy direction for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace through this summit.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Based on the North Korea policy of the Biden administration, which has completed its review, the two countries are expected to engage in realistic and practical diplomacy with North Korea.

However, there are still differences in perception between the two leaders regarding the approach to promoting dialogue with North Korea, indicating the need for close coordination between the South Korean and U.S. governments in the future.

President Moon Jae-in stated at a joint press conference immediately after the South Korea-U.S. summit held at the White House in Washington D.C. on the 21st (local time), “I welcome the Biden administration’s diplomatic direction to seek diplomacy with North Korea through realistic and practical consultations based on past agreements such as the Singapore Joint Statement,” and “I highly appreciate the close cooperation between the two countries.”

President Moon emphasized, “President Biden and I confirmed our belief that dialogue based on promises between South and North Korea and between North Korea and the U.S. is essential to creating a peaceful Korean Peninsula,” and “under close cooperation with the United States, we will promote inter-Korean relations to create a virtuous cycle of North Korea-U.S. dialogue”.

President Moon stated, “The most urgent joint task for South Korea and the U.S. is the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and permanent peace,” and added, “I welcome the North Korea policy that the Biden administration has completed reviewing.”

President Moon’s remarks on North Korea policy are interpreted as seeking diplomacy with North Korea through a realistic and practical approach based on past agreements such as the Singapore Joint Statement.

However, President Biden’s perception shows a somewhat different tone.

The fact that President Biden did not mention the Singapore Joint Statement or the Panmunjom Declaration while explaining the Korean Peninsula policy is evidence of this. President Biden said, “We agreed to reduce tensions and move closer to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which we all aim for,” and “I talked with President Moon about the current situation awareness and ways to diplomatically engage North Korea.”

During the Q&A session with reporters, the two leaders also revealed differences in perception regarding the approach to dialogue with North Korea.

When asked about the priority of North Korea policy, President Biden said, “I agree with President Moon,” and “We will maintain the policy of safe denuclearization and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and work together with the U.S. allies.”

However, he also added a condition, saying, “We cannot give everything that Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, wants,” and “We will see General Secretary Kim’s willingness for denuclearization,” revealing a subtle difference in tone. This is interpreted as President Biden requiring a denuclearization commitment from General Secretary Kim before meeting with North Korea.

In particular, President Biden was cautious about the impression that General Secretary Kim has sincerity regarding denuclearization. This reaffirmed his intention to exclude the top-down approach used during former President Donald Trump’s administration.

Accordingly, diplomatic experts advised that closer coordination regarding perceptions and approaches to North Korea policy between senior and working-level officials of South Korea and the U.S. will be necessary after the South Korea-U.S. summit.

One expert said, “The Biden administration has clearly shown that it has no illusions about the incredibly difficult goal of North Korea’s complete denuclearization,” and “There must be a commitment from North Korea regarding denuclearization before any meeting.”

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