The “New” Obama’s North Korean Policy

The most recent issue of a particular D.C. political journal ran a cartoon that satirizes President Barack Obama’s symbolic slogan, “Change.” It shows Obama, who wanted to “change” America during the 2008 presidential elections, shouting in December 2010, “I’m Changed!”

As this cartoon symbolically illustrates, one of the current talking points in D.C.’s political world is President Obama’s rapid “change.” Many expected him to ride the confidence of being America’s first black president and work toward reform without compromise. But his behavior after the midterm elections was certainly surprising.

For the Democratic constituency, the compromise made with the Republican leadership on tax cuts for the rich came as a shock. A CNN program recently ran an edited clip of Obama from a few years ago claiming that the Bush tax cuts needed to come to an end. Although the Democrats cried out in revolt and censure, Obama claimed that there was no other way. Knowing that Obama did not have much faith in the process, former President Bill Clinton was tapped to do PR work for the tax cut legislation. Clinton was even given an exclusive platform at the White House to carry out this task. On Dec. 15, big business CEOs were invited to the White House and lobbied to increase levels of investment and create jobs.

This is not the Obama of two years ago. To call him a “totally new Obama” would also not be misplaced sentiment. Opinions vary on whether Obama has transformed in this way in order to accommodate changing popular opinion or as a political gambit to increase his chances at reelection in two years. But it is undeniable that Obama is prepared to change his stance on any given topic, even if only slightly.

Of the things that can be changed, America’s North Korea policy is no exception. One particular source in Washington claimed that the Yeonpyeong island incident that resulted in civilian casualties has gotten rid of any room the Obama Administration could have had to budge on its North Korean policy. But America’s North Korean policy has historically been defined by sudden bouts of hot and cold. Former President George W. Bush certainly failed to hold to his “principled” ground on North Korea. Although declaring North Korea a part of his “Axis of Evil,” his policy toward the country was adjusted in 180 different points after his party’s defeat in the midterm elections. However, it’s only proper for Obama to understand that he can change the policy at any given moment.

North Korea called in New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and dangled the bait of allowing IAEA inspectors back within its borders. This is the North’s tired tactic deploying a “peace offensive” after causing serious provocations.

At first glance, it seemed as if the U.S. government wasn’t going to take the bait. The temptation of that bait, however, will not be insignificant as Obama looks toward reelection.