The headline for this Dong-A Ilbo article is, ‘Ambassador Explains North Korea Remarks,’ and in it Vershbow gives an explanation for his remark about North Korea being a ‘criminal regime’ (links two posts below). But it did not highlight at all what is perhaps the most significant U.S. policy-related quote: “The normalization of Pyongyang-Washington relations will be linked to the improvement of Pyongyang’s human rights issues.” The following quote is strung together from the article:

“I did not intend to spark controversy… I intended to draw mutual resolution by focusing attention on this issue… My mission as a U.S. ambassador to Korea is to help a peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula, while consolidating the Korea-U.S. alliance and resolving the North Korean nuclear issue…Please view my political remarks in a positive light.”

“Christopher Hill, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said he would explain the background of the issue to North Korea, but the North distorted the truth by saying, ‘The U.S. promised to negotiate with us over economic sanctions’ … For mutual confidence building, it is important for the North to take what Hill says seriously…”

“The judicial measures taken by the U.S. administration is not a matter of negotiation with Pyongyang. The communist state’s illegal behavior and human rights issues are international matters. It would be exceptional if the U.S. administration did not express concern about that… Other countries should also express their concern about Pyongyang’s illegal behavior. The normalization of Pyongyang-Washington relations will be linked to the improvement of Pyongyang’s human rights issues.” (emphasis added)

That should be painfully clear. I think it is right for the U.S. to clarify its position, particularly regarding human rights. The North Korean reaction is not likely to be surprising. More on this at YONHAP and the JoongAng Ilbo.

On a side note, Vershbow can thank Dr. Hwang for taking some of the headline pressure off this week.