U.S. policy on China and North Korea

DISAM Journal, Spring, 2003 by James A. Kelly

[The following speech was presented to the World Affairs Council, Washington, D.C., January 30, 2003.]

Before I speak about China, a subject so dynamic and important that it is never far from the minds of Asian specialists, I would like to make a few remarks on North Korean issues, which in recent weeks have dominated the news from East Asia. Rather than attempting a comprehensive overview of our East Asian relations in the short time allotted to me, I would like to convey a snapshot of where we are in our relations with North Korea and China.

North Korea

North Korea's pursuit of a nuclear weapons program, in clear violation of its international obligations, presents both a challenge and an opportunity to the international community. The challenge the North poses is self-evident: its pursuit of nuclear weapons which we know has gone on for many years flouts the global nuclear non-proliferation regime established by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). With 190 signatories, no country has ever resigned from the NPT. The North's program also threatens the incipient reconciliation between North Korea and South Korea and the security of the entire Asia-Pacific Region.

Despite the attempt to put the nuclear issue in a U.S. and D.P.R.K. focus, the issue is inherently multinational. And, the international community has made clear that North Korea must reverse its course or risk further isolation and condemnation. The United States will not be pressured or blackmailed into providing the North with quid pro quos to meet its existing obligations. But, if North Korea is willing to return to its obligations, we will talk with them about how to do so. And, if the North abides by its obligations, we are prepared to work with it for a different and better future for its people. Therein lies the opportunity for a revitalized process of reconciliation between North Korea and South Korea, a new relationship between the U.S. and North Korea, and a new and more solidly founded era of peace, stability, and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

Certainly, the most serious challenge from North Korea is its nuclear program, but this is not the only problem the North poses. Production and export of ballistic missiles, broad disregard of human rights, and a tolerance for starvation and death from disease are other serious challenges.

One such is the failure of North Korea to reform its economy. This is both a threat and a challenge to North Korea's own future, to neighbors who fear the consequences of a collapsing state, and to the world community that is already bearing much of the burden of the North's economic policies. First of all, resources are misallocated in an "army first" official policy. The small and insufficient, but nevertheless significant steps, which the North undertook last summer to reform its collapsed economy, seem to be doing very poorly, with inflation and worthless currency playing a role.

North Korea remains a threat and a problem. As the President said, we need to work with others; South Korea, Japan, China, Russia, and the European Union to begin slow change. But, stepping back from nuclear weapons is essential.

I do not want to leave the impression that the U.S. is fixated on North Korea, so let me also take a moment to review our relationship with the vibrant democracy and growing economic partner just to its south. The Republic of Korea is one of our leading partners in Asia, not simply or even primarily because of our alliance and security relationship. The South is a growing diplomatic and military partner that is making an impact around the world, as witnessed by its support of Operation Enduring Freedom. South Korea is an engine of growth in East Asia and one of the top ten U.S. economic partners.

The election of Mr. Roh Moo-hyun in December confirms South Korea as a shining example of liberal democracy in Asia and represents a generational change that creates opportunities to reinforce this alliance for many decades to come. The exemplary partnership between the Republic of Korea and the United States, countries both built upon open societies of free and empowered citizens, will be deep and lasting. President Bush has invited President-elect Roh to come to Washington as early as he can comfortably do so in his presidency. We look forward to working closely with South Korea and the Roh Administration in the years ahead. We face together the immediate challenge of North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the larger challenges posed by North Korea, and many other complex questions confronting democracies. Our relationship will be based on mutual respect and a profound understanding of our interdependence. This relationship will continue to strengthen and to deepen. Together, I am confident that we will mee t the challenges ahead of us.

China

Let me now leave the Korean Peninsula and turn to China. Many have tried to sum up the United States' relationship with China in a catch phrase. I don't believe such characterizations are useful or accurate. Our relationship with the Peoples Republic of China (P.R.C.). and its 1.3 billion citizens is too complex, varied, and fast changing to be reduced to soundbites. President Bush, Secretary Powell, and all of us in the Administration have worked over the last two years to forge a candid, constructive and cooperative relationship with China. In the spirit of dealing straightforwardly with our differences and building on common interests the President paid an unprecedented two visits to China in his first 13 months in office, and hosted President Jiang Zemin in Crawford last October.