Former US Diplomat Suggests North Korea Policy Change

A former United States official says President-elect Donald Trump would take action against North Korea to destroy a standing missile armed with a nuclear weapon.

Christopher Hill formerly served as the U.S. ambassador to Iraq and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Hill also led the U.S. team during the Six Party Talks on North Korea’s nuclear activity under President George W. Bush.

The Six Party Talks involved North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States. However, all six nations have not met on the nuclear issue since 2009.

A new direction in North Korea policy

Hill was in Seoul to speak at a South Korean government conference on the chances for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula. He sought to signal a change in U.S. policy.

“So I think that North Korea needs to understand that there will be a new sheriff in town in Washington...”

With his statement, Hill noted the president-elect’s willingness to take action against a possible North Korean threat. He also tried to reassure America’s allies that the U.S. government will honor its security agreements in Asia.

Not all those who attended the conference were in agreement.

Gareth Evans formerly served as Australia’s foreign minister. Evans said he is worried the American president-elect would act impulsively against an aggressive opponent. He also is concerned that such an action could start a wider conflict.

"Where is that going to take us, a preemptive military strike? I mean that is premised on the assumption that if the North Koreans have a nuclear weapon and have a missile delivery capability, the United States and everyone else is at real risk. But what on Earth is ever going to encourage the North Koreans to use such a missile in that situation?"

Evans said that, as a candidate, Trump had caused allies to question the U.S. commitment to defending them and securing peace in Asia.

North Korea has expanded its nuclear development program this year. The North’s government has tested two nuclear devices and many long- and medium-range missiles.

Experts say within five years, North Korea will be able to launch an intercontinental missile armed with a small nuclear warhead.

Hill also noted that moderate foreign policy specialists from the Republican Party are among those on Trump’s national security transition team. He said they are placing importance on stability and continuity in North Korean policy.

During the election campaign, candidate Trump had criticized some U.S. allies for not providing enough support for defense efforts in Asia.

The South Korean Defense Ministry has said the division of defense costs is fair. A ministry spokesman also said that South Korea is unwilling to pay more for the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system.

As a presidential candidate, Trump voiced support for allies gaining possession of nuclear weapons. Later, he denied the statement.

Importance of alliances restated

After the election, the president-elect promised to continue American security commitments. He did so during phone calls with South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe is planning to meet with Trump later this month before a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group in Lima, Peru.

Last week, the office of South Korea’s president said Trump told Park, “We are with you all the way and we will not waver.”

Ambassador Hill says actions after the election show the importance of the U.S. alliances with Japan and South Korea in stopping North Korean threats and China’s military power.

“But I have no doubt, I have no doubt that the U.S. administration, the Trump administration, will be able to continue what is really on of our best relationships in the world...”

Hill also said he opposed offering unconditional talks or engagement with the North. He said that the government of Kim Jong Un must first agree to halt its nuclear weapons program.

Hill admitted that getting China’s assistance for new sanctions on North Korea will be difficult if trade relations with the United States worsen.

Trump has criticized China’s trade policies and threatened import taxes on Chinese goods.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Brian Padden reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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