U.S. North Korea policy under Trump could have latitude, lawmakers say

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The future administration of President-elect Donald Trump could opt for a wide range of North Korea policy, from adopting tougher sanctions to initiating dialogue with Kim Jong Un.

Those were some of the proposals discussed between a bipartisan delegation of South Korean lawmakers who visited with U.S. congressmen and Trump advisers, Yonhap reported Monday.

Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling Saenuri Party said members and supporters of Trump's team said they believe President Barack Obama's North Korea policy of "strategic patience" has reinforced North Korea's nuclear capabilities and did not succeed.

"Consequently in Washington U.S. officials do not see the North Korea nuclear issue as a problem limited to the Korean peninsula, but also a problem for [the United States]," Na said Monday.

Na also said various proposals were suggested by the incoming Trump team, ranging from stronger sanctions to reaching out to Kim Jong Un for a "hamburger meal."

Kim Boo-kyum, a lawmaker with the opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, said diplomatic channels would also be explored and were deemed necessary.

Kim added former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, who is reportedly being considered for the secretary of state position, told the lawmakers the United States would never use force to resolve the North Korea nuclear problem.

Bolton said last week the consequences of the use of force, such as a U.S. pre-emptive strike, would be too costly for South Korea.

North Korea has issued very few statements about the U.S. presidential election, but on Monday urged Washington to "withdraw its nuclear threat," according to Pyongyang's KCNA.

In a nine-page memorandum issued Monday, North Korea said the United States chose a hostile policy against Pyongyang after 2012, and that the regime's missile and nuclear tests have been a response to U.S. "threats."