“Interim Steps” Does Not Reflect U.S. Policy Change on North Korea

“Interim Steps” Does Not Reflect U.S. Policy Change on North Korea

Bruce Klingner [Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation]

► Comments by two U.S. officials that Washington would accept “interim steps” toward North Korea denuclearization triggered concern, primarily in South Korea, that the U.S. had abandoned denuclearization as a policy objective.

► However, a closer examination indicates the remarks were misinterpreted and reflected greater policy continuity than change. That said, in recent years North Korea has steadily expanded its nuclear arsenal and engaged in increasingly provocative behavior which increased doubts about U.S. commitment to South Korea’s defense.

►  [G]iven the South Korea’s president’s primacy in security policies, Yoon will likely be able to maintain his policies that closely align with U.S. strategic interests.

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