Vice President Mike Pence: U.S. is Dropping "Failed Policy"

Vice President Mike Pence: U.S. is Dropping “Failed Policy”

Apr 17, 2017 by Natasha Marie in White House

Mike Pence says “strategic patience” policy is at an end.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Vice President Mike Pence had some strong words for North Korea.

Mike Pence say U.S. strategy for North Korea will change.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence looks toward the North Korean border.

“We’re going to abandon the failed policy of strategic patience. But we’re going to redouble our efforts to bring diplomatic and economic pressure to bear on North Korea. Our hope is that we can resolve this issue peaceably,” Pence stated in the exclusive interview at the DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone).

The key to this new strategy of coarse is the cooperation and increased involvement of China, which could prove interesting. President Trump spent much of his campaign rallying against the country; however he has since stopped as it became clear dealing with North Korea would require China’s help.

Pence added, “I know the President was heartened by his discussions with President Xi (Jinping). We’ve seen China begin to take some actions to bring pressure on North Korea but there needs to be more.”

During a briefing Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang had this to say.

“Resolving this issue requires all relevant parties, especially parties that bear major responsibility and play a key role in this issue, to work in the same direction and make a joint effort.”

A long running conflict.

The situation in North Korea stretches back to the Clinton administration. Then President Clinton tried to prevent the country’s weapon buildup with a diplomatic agreement, which was signed in 1994, with then leader Kim Jong-il. The plan ultimately failed after Pyongyang continued its nuclear buildup, which it admitted in 2002. Though the country claimed it was necessary for their own security. They cited the presence of such weapons in South Korea and deteriorating relations with the United States as the main reasons.

Kim Jong-il, former leader of North Korea, began the country's nuclear ambitions.

Former North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, began the country’s nuclear ambitions.

The Bush administration tried global pressure but that initiative failed too. North Korea proceeded to launch its first nuclear test in 2006. During the Obama administration, the regime launched four more nuclear tests.

Tensions have become particularly strained with Kim Jong-un, who succeeded his father after the former’s death in 2011. Jong-un has shown little desire to back away from any weapon stores ambitions. In fact, the leader seems determined to show North Korea military strength at every opportunity.

Now there are indications that North Korea may have the capability to launch a missile that could hit the continental US by the year 2020.

When the Vice-President was asked about this estimate he said, “I know the President has no higher priority than the safety and security of the American people. The presence of US forces here in South Korea are a long-standing commitment to the Asia Pacific. And insuring the security of the continental US will be a priority in this administration. Look, we want to be clear: our hope and frankly our prayer is that by marshaling the resources of nations across the Asian Pacific — not just South Korea, Japan, other allies — and China bringing renewed pressure to bear.”

A matter of diplomacy.

The problem is of coarse that Jong-un does not seem to care about threats of any kind. Repeated attempts by the United Nations to impose sanctions have had little impact on the leader. Instead, he seems to favor sending threats of his own. He also makes no secret of his disdain for the United States or our military presence in South Korea.

Kim Jong-un

It is hard to imagine the United States having any real impact, thus the importance of China. North Korea relies on trade agreements with it’s neighbor to survive. How much of a hard-line China will actually take remains to be seen as they are much closer to the threat than the U.S.