Ex-U.S. Official Suggests Potential U.S. Acceptance of Nuclear-Armed North Korea

Washington: A former senior U.S. official has indicated the possibility that the United States might eventually accept North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, as Washington believes it can deter nuclear threats from the regime.According to Yonhap News Agency, Robert Joseph, who served as the under secretary of state for arms control and international security from 2005 to 2007, shared his views during an online seminar organized by The Washington Times Foundation. North Korea has consistently rejected any dialogue with the U.S. concerning its denuclearization efforts.Joseph discussed the likelihood of the United States acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, suggesting that even if North Korea were to possess 200 or 400 nuclear weapons, the U.S. might still choose to deter them instead of pushing for complete denuclearization. He emphasized that this viewpoint has not been widely discussed.Joseph also touched upon the Iranian nuclear issue, mentioning that there are voices within the Pe ntagon who believe that the U.S. can coexist with a nuclear-armed Iran. This perspective aligns with the broader discourse on nuclear deterrence and security.Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently stated that North Korea is not open to denuclearization talks but left room for potential diplomatic engagements with the U.S. She remarked on the positive personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.This development follows a statement from a White House official to Yonhap News Agency, indicating that Trump remains open to dialogue aimed at achieving a "fully denuclearized" North Korea. Recent diplomatic engagements between Seoul and Washington have reiterated their commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula.