North Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister, Choe Son Hui, has issued a stern warning to the United States, condemning what she describes as provocative actions and pressure tactics against Pyongyang. Her remarks come amid increasingly strained relations between the two nations following the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden two months ago.
“If the U.S. truly desires direct talks with us, it must first abandon its hostile approach and adopt a more respectful stance,” Choe stated. “We will monitor closely the actions of the U.S. under this new administration. If it continues to attempt to manipulate the situation to gain time or public favor, it will only waste time, as we are not interested in engaging with a nation that refuses to adapt to the changing circumstances.”
Since his presidential campaign, Biden has emphasized a tougher stance on North Korea, marking a shift from the previous administration’s diplomatic outreach. Washington has also exerted pressure on China to align with its strategy of pushing for denuclearization in North Korea, a move that Pyongyang has consistently rejected. North Korea insists that any future talks must not involve unilateral concessions or pressure to abandon its nuclear deterrent.
Pyongyang’s longstanding opposition to negotiations premised on surrendering its nuclear capabilities remains a core issue. North Korea and the U.S. have technically been at war since the Korean War in the early 1950s, and tensions have escalated over the years, particularly following the 2020 unveiling of a new class of intercontinental-range nuclear missiles capable of targeting the U.S. mainland. With increasing pressure from Washington, North Korea is expected to intensify its missile testing efforts in response.
Choe Son Hui, who was promoted to First Vice Foreign Minister in 2019, has long been a key player in North Korea’s foreign policy, particularly on nuclear issues. She previously served as the director of the North American department at the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has extensive experience in negotiations, including the Six-Party Talks during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. Her background underscores her crucial role in shaping North Korea’s diplomatic strategies and responses to international pressure.
