Ex U.S. Korea Policy Director Speaks

A great deal of attention is being paid to how strongly the Democratic-controlled Congress will pressure the Bush administration on its North Korea policy and what kind of role a new North Korea Policy Coordinator, appointed by Congress, may play in resolving North Korea’s nuclear issue.

This paper had an interview on November 16 in Washington D.C. with Wendy R. Sherman, former North Korea Policy Coordinator under the Clinton Administration (currently principal of the Albright Group). Sherman, who also served as Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State, visited Pyongyang and met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to improve the U.S.-DPRK relationship in 2000. During the interview she talked about many issues concerning the communist country and proposed what a new North Korea Policy Coordinator can do in the future.

“President George W. Bush has to appoint a North Korea Policy Coordinator within 60 days in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which took effect on October 17. The position described in the NDAA, which passed with bipartisan support, is modeled after the Policy Coordinator position in 1998 during the Clinton era. Back then, Congress was controlled by Republicans, while it is now dominated by Democrats. From my perspective, Congress wants a change (of North Korean policy) without a doubt.”

Q: Please compare the current situation with when you worked as North Korea Policy Coordinator in 2000.

A: “Now it is far more serious, indeed. Currently, Pyongyang has enough plutonium to make eight to ten nuclear bombs. North Korea experts, including Dr. Siegfried Hecker, who visited the country at the beginning of this year, came back very pessimistic. The North might have chosen to wait for a Democratic administration to negotiate with. However, I want to urge it not to, because even if the Democratic Party takes over the government, it will be as tough a negotiating partner. For example, during the Clinton administration we offered incentives to the DPRK, but defined disincentives as well and prepared to use them.”

Q: There is a talk about the U.S. sending a special envoy to the North.

A: “We are in an urgent crisis now. Sending an envoy does not undermine the six party talks. We have to send a message to North Korea that the U.S. will not attack North Korea, and that it seriously wants an honest decision.”

Q: What is required for the North Korea Policy Coordinator to do his or her job?

A: “Whoever assumes the position must have the authority to work freely with all the departments of the administration. One thing I would like to appreciate is that I was given the authority mandated by the President and the Secretary of State to coordinate and instruct policies on behalf of them, so every government department fully understood the nature of my job. Whoever the new coordinator is should be trusted across the aisle. However, I don’t think those now rumored to be candidates, who have objected to dialogue and insisted on collapse of the communist regime (refer to Dong-A Ilbo October 28 page 6) are the right ones.”

Q: Is it possible that the new coordinator, if appointed, might have no power among hawks like Vice President Dick Cheney?

A: “That is the part the president should pay attention to. The President should send a clear message to the coordinator that he wants to see progress in solving the North’s nuclear problem through negotiations. If fundamental policies remain the same, whoever the coordinator is not important.”

Q: What is your take on the South Korean government’s reaction to North Korea’s nuclear tests?

A: “The South Korean government has different objectives and circumstances than the U.S. The South and North have a border between them. I understand Seoul needs to reflect on public wishes. However, at the same time, I believe that Seoul absolutely agrees with the U.S. zero-tolerance policy of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and that it also recognizes that North Korea must improve the human rights conditions of its people. Seoul supported the UN human rights resolution. I think that it is important for Seoul to send a signal to Pyongyang that its nuclear tests are unacceptable and to make changes. If we work together, we can ensure that Pyongyang has no room to drive a wedge between our strong alliance. North Korea cannot defeat us in this competition.”

Q: Some in Korea are calling for the withdrawal of the Zaytun Unit dispatched in Iraq upon the Democratic victory in the midterm elections.

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A: “The U.S. Congress will work hard on Iraq. All Americans want their soldiers back home. However, we Americans are well aware that Iraq is now in danger. Thus, I want to urge Korea to closely consult with the U.S. on the timetable of any pullout of its troops.”

sechepa@donga.com