President Joe Biden, speaking in Seoul before of his first trip to Asia as president, had a simple message for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un: On the final day of his visit to South Korea, he greeted reporters, “Hello… period.”
Biden stated that he is “unconcerned” about additional nuclear tests by North Korea, which would be the first in nearly five years.
When asked what message he had for Kim, he replied with a wry smile, underscoring the administration’s low-key attitude to the unresolved issues with North Korea. Former President Donald Trump’s theatrical threats, summits, and “love letters” to Kim stand in stark contrast.
However, neither president’s approach has resulted in a substantial breakthrough, and North Korea has resumed testing of its largest intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), with intelligence assessments indicating that it is planning a new nuclear test.
Biden stated, “We are prepared for anything North Korea does.”
In reaction to the North’s weapons tests, Biden and his new South Korean counterpart, President Yoon Suk-yeol, agreed to consider larger military drills and perhaps deploying more nuclear-capable American weaponry to the region.
Biden stated on Saturday that North Korea had not reacted to US overtures, including offers of COVID-19 vaccines, and that he was willing to meet with Kim if he thought it would lead to a meaningful breakthrough.
According to a senior US administration official, COVID-19 restrictions may be contributing to North Korea’s lack of response.
North Korea has dismissed US overtures as hollow because the US continues to pursue “hostile measures” such as military drills and sanctions.
The insider indicated that the administration was looking for meaningful engagement, not grand gestures, when asked if Biden was willing to take concrete actions to break the stalemate.
“Only the DPRK can make this decision,” the official stated, using the initials for North Korea’s official name.
Biden and Yoon saw an air operations center at a US air base south of Seoul. Behind big computer projections showing maps of the border between North and South Korea, American and South Korean troops are charged for protecting against any missiles launched by the North.
Given North Korea’s “growing” threats, Yoon believes such facilities are critical.
Before heading for Japan, Biden ate ice cream and greeted American servicemen and their families at a bowling alley on the base.
