Absence of global leadership to deal with N. Korean nuclear issue

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are building as North Korea continuously test launched its Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in July, but global leaders have failed to react to the North Korean nuclear issue properly, rather than solving the problem. Progress on adopting a new resolution concerning sanctions against the North by the UN Security Council is slow as the G2 or China and the U.S. who are the key players in dealing with the issue are not showing leadership due to complicated domestics politics.    

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (local time) that his administration will be able to take care of North Korea at his full Cabinet meeting. However, experts pointed out that the Trump administration failed to react properly on the North as key foreign and security figures were in a highly vulnerable position. A rumor has it that former Army lieutenant general to become national security advisor Herbert McMaster will be replaced. He was considered as a practical strategist. Trump’s mistrust over Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has continued as well.

China also does not react on the North Korean issue after releasing a brief statement when the country launched Hwasong-14 ICBM. Chinese President Xi Jinping who is now focusing on strengthening his power for upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (party congress) talked about “Pro North Korea, Against America Movement” on Tuesday and idealized the past that the country entered the Korean War against the ROK-US Combined Forces to help North Korea. The Cheongwadae decided to keep pace with the US. However, it closely monitors uncertain movement of the White House. A ruling party official said, “Concerns are rising that the Trump administration does not have a concrete long-term approach to deal with the North, although the U.S. has been very vocal in its criticism of North Korean missiles.” Other official said that there is also a possibility that President Trump would make an unexpected decision on the North as a breakthrough to solve his difficult conditions within the country such as power struggles and crisis of being impeached.



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