NK Policy Concerns

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Political pundits are also pointing out that uncertainties are growing in the U.S.' North Korea policy with the election of Donald Trump. Here’s more.

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During the race to win the Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and called him a maniac.

[Soundbite] Donald Trump(U.S. president-elect (in March))

The U.S. Republican Party also doesn't recognize North Korea as a dialogue partner, defining the North as a slave country run by the Kim family. However, Trump suddenly said during his election campaign that it would be possible to hold nuclear negotiations with Kim Jong-un. This raises concerns about possible policy discord with the South Korean government, which has been focusing on pressuring Pyongyang in cooperation with the Obama administration. Some analysts say that the inconsistency in Trump's stance towards Pyongyang proves that the North Korean nuclear issue is not a priority for him. In fact, Trump has backed off regarding the North, saying that China, not the U.S., should resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. There are concerns that Trump's inconsistent attitude could lead North Korea to misjudge and pose obstacles in the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula.