On Saturday, President Joe Biden confirmed reports that the United States has offered North Korea COVID-19 aid, but added that the hermit kingdom had not responded to U.S. efforts on the matter.
Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs tweeted on Satuday that Biden told members of the press in South Korea that America had offered COVID-19 vaccines to both North Korea and China, and remains ready to do so until the U.S. receives a response. Biden is in South Korea for the Republic of Korea-U.S. Summit to discuss America and South Korea’s alliance and strategic partnership.
“The answer is yes, we’ve offered vaccines, not only to North Korea, but China as well. We are prepared to do that immediately,” Biden told one reporter who asked if the U.S. would assist North Korea. “We have gotten no response.”
Asked if he would provide vaccines to North Korea, Biden in Seoul: “The answer is yes, we’ve offered vaccines, not only to North Korea, but China as well. We are prepared to do that immediately. We have gotten no response.” pic.twitter.com/qTUfCQxige
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 21, 2022
Earlier on Saturday, Jacobs had reported that Biden administration officials had told her that the U.S. was willing to assist North Korea as it struggles with more than two million COVID-19 cases “despite nuclear threats” from the nation’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
“It is our hope that they will make decisions that will allow for the maximum amount of support in this time of great need…and great crisis,” Jacobs’ source said.
US “looking for ways in which we and others in the international community can work together to provide assistance as needed” for North Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, but international community united in opposition to “destabilizing and threatening behavior,” Biden official says.
US “looking for ways in which we and others in the international community can work together to provide assistance as needed” for North Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, but international community united in opposition to “destabilizing and threatening behavior,” Biden official says.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 21, 2022
The Daily Wire reported on “Friday that the president landed in Pyeongtaek for his first presidential visit to Asia, beginning a five-day tour aimed at bolstering the White House’s economic commitment to the region. Biden’s first remarks in South Korea called for final passage of a bill meant to boost U.S. competitiveness against China that House and Senate negotiators are currently negotiating.”
Biden’s first speech on Friday got off to a slightly rocky start as he called South Korea’s President Yoon Seok-Yeol by the wrong name.
“President Moon…Yoon, thank you for everything you’ve done so far,” Biden told his South Korean counterpart. Moon Jae-in was Yoon’s immediate predecessor.
Biden just called President Yoon of South Korea President Moon. pic.twitter.com/Y5RIq36WEs
— Maze (@mazemoore) May 20, 2022
The Daily Wire also reported that the three-day visit to South Korea also comes as North Korea has grown increasingly belligerent, testing missiles and reportedly refusing to talk with the Biden administration.
Related: Two From Secret Service Sent Home After Incident In South Korea Just As Biden Arrives