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| ▲ U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 23, 2025, as he signs executive orders, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap) |
Trump policy-N Korea
No change on U.S. policy toward North Korea yet: Washington official
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. government official said Tuesday that there has been no change yet in the United States' policy toward North Korea, amid questions over whether President Donald Trump's recent reference to North Korea as a "nuclear power" signaled any policy shift.
The official made the remarks in response to Yonhap News Agency's question over whether the new U.S. administration stands by the long-standing goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
"There has not been any change of policy regarding the DPRK," the official said on condition of anonymity. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Last week, Trump referred to the North as a nuclear power -- a term that U.S. officials have mostly refrained from using as it could be regarded as U.S. recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also called the North a nuclear power during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.
Though there has been no U.S. policy change yet, it remains to be seen whether Trump could make a shift as he remains interested in reengaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. During a recent Fox News interview, the president said he will reach out to Kim again.
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