Seoul: Two days before the U.S. presidential election, America’s policy direction on North Korea remains a critical concern for South Korea. Pyongyang continues its provocative actions, including menacing rhetoric, weapons tests, disturbing balloon launches, and military cooperation with Russia. The upcoming election, featuring a showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, is central to Seoul’s efforts to maintain close cooperation with the United States, ensuring a strong security stance against the evolving North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Harris and Trump have outlined different policy approaches toward North Korea’s security challenges in their campaign speeches. Harris is expected to leverage America’s network of allies and partners to address the North Korean issue, which has gained geopolitical significance due to Pyongyang’s recent troop dispatch to Russia. During her nomination speech in August, Harris emphasized avoiding
direct diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, signaling a focus on conventional diplomatic avenues.

Analysts suggest that if Harris is elected, she would likely enhance bilateral and trilateral security cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo, strengthening deterrence against North Korean threats while keeping diplomatic channels open. Conversely, Trump could seek to revive his personal diplomacy with Kim Jong-un, boasting about his “love letters” and personal ties with the leader on the campaign trail. Trump’s statements have raised the possibility of renewed direct leader-to-leader diplomacy with North Korea.

During his presidency, Trump adopted a “top-down” diplomatic approach, resulting in three meetings with Kim Jong-un, including the historic 2018 summit in Singapore. However, nuclear negotiations stalled after the no-deal summit in Hanoi in 2019. The upcoming election raises questions about the potential for renewed diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang and whether it would respond to Washington’s o
vertures.

The Biden administration has consistently expressed openness to dialogue with North Korea “without preconditions,” yet these overtures have been met with continued missile tests and provocative activities. Observers believe Pyongyang’s interest in re-engagement may have diminished as it strengthens ties with Russia and maintains its partnership with China. If nuclear negotiations resume, they could prove more challenging due to North Korea’s advancements in nuclear warhead and missile technology.

For Trump, there is anticipation that he may seek to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue if re-elected, leveraging his “deal-making” skills. In contrast, Harris may need to explore innovative strategies to address North Korea’s security challenges, as analysts suggest Pyongyang could test America’s resolve with escalatory military actions.