North Korea will ‘be problem for US’ as Biden turns to China - 'US can't do it alone'

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North Korea will ‘be problem for US’ as Biden turns to China - 'US can't do it alone'​

NORTH KOREA will continue to "be a problem" for US President Biden as he enters office in January.​

By MYRIAM TOUA
PUBLISHED: 22:11, Tue, Dec 22, 2020 |

North Korea has been in conflict with the US since the Cold War era – a stark reminder that the unprecedented war has left legacies that have not yet left the global stage. While the US, Japan and their allies helped to rebuild South Korea following the Korean War of 1950 to 1952, the North turned to Russia and the Communist influences in the world. The result has been that tensions have ran high between the US and North Korea ever since then.

While President Donald Trump tried to somewhat mend the relationship between North Korea and the US, President Biden is likely to view the country as a significant problem for America.

Mr Trump made historic ground after becoming the first American President to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently, in an exchange the President described as “tremendous”.

Both men have boasted about their country’s arsenal of nuclear weapons in the past.

The two met at a hotel in Singapore, in which they engaged in a signing ceremony in front of journalists from around the world.


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North Korea will ‘be problem for US’ as Biden forced to turn to China - 'US can't do it alone' (Image: Getty)

The signed document included promises and pledges to work together to build a new relationship between the two nations for the sake of “peace and prosperity”.

The document also promised the “complete denuclearisation” of the Korean Peninsula – but obviously that plan has not come to fruition.

As it stands, North Korea has a military nuclear weapons arsenal of approximately 30 to 40 arms and enough production of fissile material for six to seven nuclear weapons a year.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Professor of International Relations at London’s Metropolitan University, Professor Andrew Moran said Joe Biden will have a big issue on his hands when he takes office next month.

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Donald Trump became the first US President to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Image: Getty)

Professor Moran told Express.co.uk: “North Korea will continue to be a big problem for the US.

“It is now a nuclear weapon state and will need to be contained.”

And President Biden may have no choice but to turn to China, the world’s second biggest power, when it comes to reigning in the Korean country.

Professor Moran added: “Biden may find he will have to ask for the support of China in achieving this as the US will not be able to do it on its own.”

However, China may not be the best country to turn to when it comes to implementing control on Kim Jong-un.

The two nations have shared a close bond in the past and consider themselves to have a special relationship.

This special relationship has sometimes been thrown into disarray in recent years because China has been displeased with North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, viewing it as a threat.

China is often considered to be North Korea’s closest ally, especially as they share a common ideology.

China and North Korea have a mutual aid and co-operation treaty, which is currently the only defence treaty the country has with anyone.

In addition, China has an embassy in North Korean capital city Pyongyang and a consulate general in Chongjin.

Professor Moran agrees that China may be unlikely to provide help to Mr Biden when it comes to the containment of North Korea.

He concluded: “This is complicated by the fact that China does not want the leadership of North Korea to crumble, as it fears a massive influx of refugees and Americans on its doorstep.”

 

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