US Ambassador Nominee to Korea: "CVID Aligns with Non-Proliferation Goals"

Philip Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador Nominee to Korea, Attending Confirmation Hearing
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[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Philip Goldberg, the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, on the 7th (local time) referred to North Korea as a "rogue regime" and stated that North Korea's 'Complete, Verifiable, and Irreversible Denuclearization (CVID)' aligns with the U.S. non-proliferation goals. He also emphasized that he will play an active role in improving South Korea-Japan relations.

At the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing that day, nominee Goldberg said, "CVID aligns with the U.S. deterrence policy and strengthens, expands, and deepens the alliance with South Korea. It is also consistent with U.S. policy to do everything possible to protect (allies) from North Korea’s rogue regime, which violates all opportunities, UN resolutions, its own commitments, and international agreements."

He added, "CVID is a very difficult issue," but "it is something we must continue to strive for, and we must be quite resolute about it." Regarding North Korea's successive missile test launches, Goldberg predicted further provocations and stated that the U.S. should respond with enhanced deterrence and strong sanctions enforcement.

CVID was a term commonly used as North Korea's denuclearization goal during the early Trump administration. However, changes occurred as North Korea-U.S. dialogue began and summits were held under the Trump administration. After the June 2018 Singapore North Korea-U.S. summit, North Korea strongly rejected CVID, calling it a phrase that would only appear in a surrender document, leading the U.S. to use the term 'Final, Fully Verified Denuclearization (FFVD)' for a time.

Goldberg’s remarks drew attention as they came after Park Jin, a member of the People Power Party and head of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s South Korea-U.S. policy consultation delegation, met with Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, in Washington D.C. Park stated, "We had an opportunity to explain in detail the President-elect’s North Korea policy vision to realize sustainable peace and security on the Korean Peninsula through CVID, and the U.S. side also agreed."

Nominee Goldberg also expressed his intention to play an active role in improving South Korea-Japan relations that day. He said, "Technologically advanced and scientifically developed, the two democracies of South Korea and Japan clearly have reasons to cooperate more not only on North Korea issues but also on other regional and global matters."

Goldberg also expressed a desire to help reduce South Korea's economic dependence on China. He stated, "There are many areas where we can help limit China’s dependence on South Korea, and if confirmed, I earnestly hope to do so."

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