`Obama admin. to overhaul NK policy if missile launch proceeds`

The Obama administration of the U.S. will overhaul its policy toward North Korea if Pyongyang proceeds with a long-range rocket launch next month, a nominee for a high-level U.S. Defense Department post said Thursday.

James Miller, the nominee for under secretary of defense for policy, said this in his Senate confirmation hearing in reply to Senator John McCain`s (Rep.-Arizona) question about if the administration should continue to provide food aid to the North despite the planned missile launch.

"My view is that if North Korea goes forward with this test, we will stop this aid and stop the other steps that we had intended to take," Miller said.

He also confirmed that 240,000 tons of food aid that the U.S. had pledged to the North is worth 200 million U.S. dollars.

If confirmed, Miller said he will continue to strengthen U.S. standing in the Asia-Pacific region by tackling challenges from North Korea`s new leadership and working closely with U.S. allies and other key partners in the region.

In a written reply submitted before the hearing, Miller said North Korea`s missile and weapons of mass destruction programs pose a "direct and serious threat" to the U.S. mainland as well as its regional allies and partners. Washington must closely watch Pyongyang`s WMD and missile development programs and nuclear proliferation moves, he added.

yhchoi65@donga.com