Former US diplomat doubts Kim Jong-un’s abilities as a diplomat

Posted on : 2013-05-02 16:31 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
James Steinberg says North Korean leader is more concerned with internal control than diplomatic engagement 
 former US deputy Secretary of State
former US deputy Secretary of State

By Gil Yun-hyung, staff reporter

In a May 1 interview with the Hankyoreh, former US deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said, “There is some uncertainty about whether North Korea fully understands the alternatives it has been presented. It also appears that Kim Jong-un may have too little experience negotiating with the high-ranking officials of other countries.”

Steinberg was in Seoul for the Asan Plenum 2013, hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. He is currently serving as the dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

“There is no reason for the US and South Korea to be afraid of talks with North Korea,” Steinberg said. But despite this emphasis, he did not conceal his skepticism about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s abilities as a diplomat.

Steinberg was in charge of the Obama administration’s North Korea policy from 2008 to Mar. 2011.

“At its start, the Kim Jong-un regime had a chance to improve relations with the US and South Korea, but they blew that chance when they tore up the Feb. 29 agreement,” Steinberg said. “For now, he appears more interested in consolidating power inside the country than in improving relations with other countries.”

“The Chinese leaders in charge of dealing with North Korea are frustrated and concerned about what Kim Jong-un has been doing,” said Steinberg. “They were also concerned about the previous regime, but Kim Jong-un does not appear to be interested either in listening to what the Chinese have to say or in taking their advice.”

For this reason, Steinberg predicts that China will not tolerate North Korea’s dangerous behavior indefinitely.

“The US and South Korea need to send a clear message to North Korea about what options they have,” Steinberg said in regard to the US-ROK summit that is scheduled for May 7. “One-sided compensation is not desirable. The US and South Korea need to show what action they are prepared to take in the future to make meaningful talks take place. The same goes for North Korea.”

 

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