Successful Talks with North Korea Will Require Administration to Have a Comprehensive Strategy
A nuclear North Korea is one of the most pressing threats to U.S. national security. Over the last year, North Korea has conducted another nuclear test and has continued to develop ballistic missile capabilities, including an intercontinental missile that could threaten the U.S. homeland.
As Ranking Member of the Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which deals with U.S. and foreign nuclear forces, I have studied the situation in North Korea closely, and I have been briefed on options for U.S. military action. Those have been some of the most sobering briefings of my career, and I pray that for the sake of our Armed Forces, our allies, and frankly the world, that we will never have to put those plans into action.
It is with this knowledge, in part, that I am cautiously optimistic about President Trump’s recent announcement that he will meet with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un to discuss a peaceful resolution to this crisis. However, we should not lose sight of the larger picture. North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs have advanced since the last time our two countries met to discuss nuclear issues. And, while we developed an understanding of Kim Jong-un’s father, Kim Jong-il, our insights into Kim Jong-un himself or the goals and objectives of his regime are limited.
At the same time, the United States is approaching these important talks with less than a full team on the field. Important diplomatic positions have been left empty for months. We still do not have an Ambassador to South Korea. And, though the Department of State has been leading the Administration’s “maximum pressure” policy, its bench of North Korea expertise has been shrinking and, with the firing of Secretary Tillerson, its leadership is changing at a critical moment.
This reality underscores the importance that the United States approach the North Korean threat — and now the recently announced talks — with a clear vision and an interagency approach that effectively utilizes our political, economic, and military power. That is why last year I authored a provision in the annual defense bill requiring the Administration to present Congress with a comprehensive strategy for the threats from North Korea that includes clear objectives, a roadmap, and a timeline.
That strategy was due to Congress on Monday, March 12, and after a conversation with General McMaster, I’ve been told that the strategy report is not ready and the Administration will miss its deadline.
I have every confidence in our military leaders and the members of our Armed Forces, who have trained for contingencies on the Korean peninsula. However, as it has been reported, a conflict would come at a high cost, including potentially the loss of millions of lives. We owe it to our servicemembers, fellow citizens in the region, and our allies to ensure that military action is the very last resort. And every effort, including diplomacy, economic sanctions, or the use of our Armed Forces, requires a clear, comprehensive strategy that effectively addresses the North Korean threat.
The White House and our diplomats have a lot of difficult work ahead of them to ensure that this meeting delivers positive results. As Americans, we all want the President to be successful in achieving a peaceful resolution to this crisis. To that end, I strongly encourage the Administration to promptly present to Congress a comprehensive strategy on North Korea to make sure that we are using all of our available tools to give us the best chance at success.
