Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Next US president should strongly address North Korean issue: Condoleezza Rice
Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during a forum organized by the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Far East Broadcasting Company
By Lee Hyo-jin
Russia unlikely to cooperate, but China might, says former US secretary of state
The next president of the United States should address the North Korean nuclear issue more strongly, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday, criticizing the current Joe Biden administration's lack of activity in this area.
"Any American president will be determined not to have North Korea create instability on the Korean Peninsula. President Trump, when he was president, tried to directly address Kim Jong-un. But Kim did not respond and cooperate. President Trump will understand that you cannot deal with a dictator," Rice said during a forum in Seoul when asked which next president will be better suited to handle the North Korea issue.
The forum, organized by the Christian radio network Far East Broadcasting Company, featured Rice in a lecture-interview format.
She continued, "President Biden, in this administration, they have not been very active on North Korea. They have many other things going on of course. I believe whoever is elected in November will have to return to this issue very strongly."
South Korea, a key American ally, is closely watching the U.S. presidential elections, which is currently a rematch between Biden and his predecessor, Trump.
Observers say that if Trump, who initiated an unprecedented era of U.S.-North Korea diplomacy during his term, is re-elected, he might consider another round of personal diplomacy with the North Korean leader. This could significantly impact the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's policy on North Korea.
Describing the North Korean leader as an "erratic man," Rice emphasized the need for the international community to work together to deter his nuclear ambitions.
"It's important to have the world to remember how dangerous it would be to have Kim Jong-un, who is a very strange and erratic man, have a nuclear weapon. This would be a great danger not just to South Korea, not just to the U.S., but to all of the Asia Pacific and to the world," she said.
Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) Korea Chairman Dr. Billy Kim speaks during a forum hosted by the FEBC in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Far East Broadcasting Company
Rice also stressed the need for efforts to convince Beijing to engage in resolving North Korean issues. She expressed skepticism about Russian cooperation under President Vladimir Putin, who recently visited Pyongyang.
"We must convince China that a nuclear weapon in North Korea is not in China's interest ... China might cooperate," she said, recalling the cooperation of former Chinese leader Hu Jintao during the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.
Reflecting on her tenure as the top U.S. diplomat under former President George W. Bush, Rice emphasized the importance of promoting democracy and helping civil society develop worldwide, describing these efforts as the best decisions made during her diplomatic career.
Regarding decisions she regrets, Rice mentioned a missed opportunity in the Middle East.
"In 2008, we had a chance to get an agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. We were almost out of office, and the Palestinians were not able to say yes. If we had made the possibility of the agreement public, perhaps the two parties would have been more willing to work together. If I had to do (it) over again, I would push harder for that agreement," she said.
"Then, maybe we would not be where we are today."
President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of presidential office