Choe Son Hui Has Become Foreign Minister of North Korea

 

North Korea has selected a new foreign minister. Choe Son Hui will now have the position in the DPRK. The move comes as tensions are rising in Asia. Choe has experience in the diplomatic service. She was one of the major figures in nuclear negotiations  with the United States. Those talks have not advanced the reduction of tension between the two countries. North Korea could easily be caught up in the US-China competition in the Pacific. North Korea has currently embarked on an arms buildup in response to regional developments. The country has conducted nuclear tests and it should be assumed at some point it will obtain an arsenal. The reason for the nuclear program is to deter US military action. North Korea might be a target for US regime change operations. Sanctions have not stopped North Korea's nuclear programs or arms buildup. The Asia pivot policy has worsened relations between China and the US. North Korea can exploit this situation by showing it is of vital interest to China. The foreign policy vision that Choe Son Hui has is not exactly clear. Considering that she was part of earlier talks there might be a chance for an agreement. The nuclear envoy to the US did not produce favorable results. One objective of Choe Son Hui could be to get the United Nations sanctions lifted. One demand that was made last year was an end to in her words "hostile US policy." This was in response to military drills conducted with South Korea. Choe Son Hui is the first female foreign minister of North Korea. The rise indicates that women are getting more power in the regime.