Trump pushes hardline policy against N. Korea

Trump pledges to take action in solving what he calls the 'North Korean problem.'
We have our Foreign Affairs Correspondent Connie Kim in the studio to dissect the real
estate mogul's seemingly impulsive actions and its impact.
Welcome Connie.
Good evening Daniel.
How serious is the former reality show star and what are the most likely implications
stemming from its decisions?
Fear that Washington could strike North Korea was triggered as U.S. President Trump ordered
an air strike on Syria while he was meeting with rival Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the U.S. strike against Syria did mean to
serve as a warning to regimes like North Korea.
And adding on to that warning,.. Tillerson noted Pyongyang should acknowledge that Washington
will take action if they cross a certain line.
Compared to the previous U.S. administrations, experts agree that the level of tension is
indeed at a different stage,... but on the other hand there are opinions that the downside
risk is way too big for the U.S. to make such a radical move.
"The prior U.S. administration also had the opportunity to carry out a preemptive strike
on North Korea.
There is a reason they haven't done that.
I don't think the factors prevented the U.S. administration from carrying out preemptive
strike before has changed now."
And just today, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump signed off on a policy approach
to North Korea that involves increased economic and political pressure with military options
under consideration in the long-term.
China has a unique and traditional relationship with North Korea.
Strongly against slapping harsh sanctions on the regime.
But recently it seems to be upping pressure on Pyongyang.
Has their policy changed?
Right, as you mentioned, China had always been against the idea of extreme sanctions
on the North- for instance cutting of North Korean oil exports, and limiting North Korean
workers from going abroad.
But, following last week's U.S.-China summit,...
Beijing has upped its pressure on Pyongyang saying that it's going to agree to stronger
UN Security Council resolutions if the North carries out another nuclear test or an ICBM
test.
"China's pressure on North Korea has increased in response to the Trump administration's
push for a hardline policy against Pyongyang.
But it's highly unlikely Beijing will comply to the level of pressure the U.S. is asking
for as seen in their summit last week."
In fact, China is still calling for the resumption of the stalled six party nuclear talks-- a
track of both dialogue and sanctions-- which is Beijing's original stance on dealing with
Pyongyang.
What is the situation like in North Korea?
Yesterday it held its annual parliamentary meeting amid U.S. pressure.
The most significant part of North Korea's parliament meeting this year was the revival
of its foreign affairs commission, something it didn't do in 19 years.
The North's move in strengthening its foreign policy line is being read as an attempt to
open up a channel of dialogue in the face of international isolation.
"It's about compelling the United States to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear state.
It's not typical diplomacy, it's just their way to have a exit strategy out of this conflict.
If you compare Kim Jong-un to Kim Jong-il, his father's regime, Kim Jong-il has always
combined military provocations with foreign policy initiatives.
Another significant point of this year's meeting is the regime's allocation for defense spending
this year.
"It only makes sense that a significant amount has been allocated to the North's defense
budget as it has not completed its nuclear weapons development."
When the North first adopted its parallel development of nuclear and economic development
in 2013, it pledged it will spare more in economic development when it finishes its
nuclear development.
Based on the stats revealed yesterday, the North still seems to be under the process
of developing nukes.
No one knows at this point whether North Korea is going to stir up more tension this month,...
but South Korea has downplayed any rumor of war breaking out on the Korean peninsula.
If Washington is to strike the North,... it would be impossible to do so on its own without
consulting first with Seoul.

Trump pushes hardline policy against N. Korea

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