The U.S. Secretary of Defense nominee has stirred controversy by referring to North Korea as a nuclear state, but the White House has reiterated that there is no change in its official policy of not recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power.
During a press conference at the Washington DC Foreign Press Center, White House National Security Communications Coordinator John Kirby emphasized that their policy on the issue has not changed, indicating that the U.S. has not recognized North Korea as a nuclear power.
Pete Hegseth, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Defense Secretary, submitted a written response during his Senate confirmation hearing in which he referred to North Korea’s status as a nuclear power. He cited the threat posed by North Korea’s expanded missile range and growing cyber capabilities to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.
While the international community, including the U.S., does not officially recognize North Korea’s nuclear status, Hegseth’s statement categorized it as such. The Biden administration’s White House clarified that there is no shift in their policy, and it was communicated that discussions have been ongoing with Trump’s team regarding the North Korean issue.
Kirby mentioned that conversations with Trump’s team included discussions about North Korea’s actions and potential capabilities, suggesting that intelligence assessments of North Korea’s capabilities were shared with Trump’s team.
There is speculation that Trump will again engage in negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as he did during his previous term. Kirby stated that the potential for dialogue with North Korea under the next administration depends on Trump.
The U.S. is also on alert for possible provocations from North Korea around the inauguration of President-elect Trump on January 20th. Kirby noted that North Korea recently launched a ballistic missile and emphasized that the situation is being monitored closely.
Experts have warned that North Korea might conduct significant provocations around Trump’s inauguration to assert its presence.
Kirby acknowledged that predicting Kim Jong-un’s actions in the coming days is challenging but noted that North Korea continues to conduct missile tests and provocations as part of its efforts to develop its capabilities.
He reiterated the U.S.’s willingness to negotiate denuclearization with North Korea without preconditions, pointing out North Korea’s consistent refusal to engage and its decision to carry out provocations instead.
In response, the Biden administration has enhanced intelligence-gathering capabilities on the Korean Peninsula and focused on strengthening alliances with South Korea and Japan.
Kirby responded to a question about the lack of results from the Biden administration’s North Korea policy by saying, “I don’t know what else can be done beyond expressing our willingness to sit and talk with the Kim regime without preconditions.”
Additionally, Kirby mentioned that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reportedly close to being finalized, expressing hope that it could be concluded before the leadership change.