[2024 미국 대선] Report on the Democratic National Convention
Trump strongly criticizes North Korea policy… Emphasizes ‘uncompromising response to North Korea’s denuclearization’
Continued regulation of cutting-edge technologies such as AI against China… “I will be a president who integrates and listens”
Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate and vice president of the United States, announced a hard-line policy toward North Korea in her acceptance speech on the 22nd (local time). She called North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un a “tyrant” and a “dictator” and declared that she “will not please him.”
This is interpreted as an intention to take a completely different path from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who held two summits with Chairman Kim and worked closely with him during his presidency. It also seems to indicate that he will not compromise on the “principles” of North Korea policy, such as denuclearization and the emphasis on human rights.
Ben Cardin, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also said at a press conference for foreign correspondents on the same day, “The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a goal that must be achieved,” and “There should be no nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.” While making it clear that the goal of denuclearization will be maintained, he also expressed his opposition to the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, as some in the Republican Party have argued.
Harris also brought up Trump’s profanity and partisan tendencies, and declared, “I will be a president who unites and listens to America. I will be a president who fights for realistic, practical, and sensible Americans.”
● Emphasis on ‘North Korea Principle’ and Alliance
On the final day of the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, Harris set out to clearly differentiate herself from Trump in the areas of foreign policy and security, including North Korea policy. She also hinted at her intention to continue the Joe Biden administration’s diplomatic tone, which values alliances.
“Tyranny and dictators like Kim Jong-un are rooting for Trump because they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favor,” he said. “They will never waver in protecting America’s security and ideals.”
During her visit to South Korea in September 2022, Harris personally visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and criticized North Korea’s human rights abuses. In August 2019, when the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) asked the candidates running for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary about their North Korea policy if they were in power, Harris asserted, “There will be no love letters exchanged with Kim Jong-un.” If he wins the presidential election on November 5, there are likely to be significant changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Candidate Harris also made clear her support policy for Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russian President Vladimir Putin. She said, “I will stand strongly in solidarity with Ukraine and NATO allies.” Regarding the Gaza war, she said, “I support Israel’s right to self-defense,” but expressed concern about the loss of Palestinian civilians.
Regarding the US-China competition, he said, “The US will lead the world into the future of space and artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen global leadership by winning the 21st century competition, not China.” This is interpreted as meaning that instead of a trade war with China, he will strengthen regulations on cutting-edge technology sectors. On the other hand, candidate Trump plans to impose high tariffs on China.
● Criticism of ‘Trump of Divide’, Emphasis on ‘Unification’
In her speech that lasted about 35 minutes, Harris mentioned Trump’s name a total of 15 times. In particular, she defined the showdown between her and Trump as a showdown between “prosecutors, the middle class, and the future” and “felons, the wealthy, and the past.”
He strongly criticized the Supreme Court, which was conservative during Trump’s term, for abolishing abortion rights in June 2022, saying, “They’re simply crazy.” He also proposed a tax cut for the middle class, job creation, price stability, and welfare enhancement, saying, “I will create an ‘opportunity economy’ where everyone has the opportunity to compete and succeed.”
Political media outlets such as The Hill diagnosed that this Democratic convention emphasized ‘unity’ in many ways compared to the Republican convention last month. First of all, three current and former presidents from the Democratic Party, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, attended. On the other hand, none of the party’s senior figures attended the Republican convention, including former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate.
Chicago = Correspondent Moon Byeong-gi [email protected]
2024-08-24 07:47:09