Obama unlikely to seek 'creative new approach' on Pyongyang: experts

The Barack Obama administration is unlikely to push for major changes in its strategy on North Korea in its second term to begin in January, experts here said Wednesday.

They said Washington is expected to continue to test Pyongyang's seriousness on denuclearization, while concentrating efforts on domestic and other urgent international affairs, including the volatile Middle East.

"So the United States will likely not put much energy into a creative new approach for breaking the nuclear and security stalemate with Pyongyang," Denny Roy, the senior researcher at the Hawaii-based East-West Center, said.

He pointed out that the ball is in North Korea's court.

"Pyongyang will likely try again in early 2013 to gain another round of concessions," he added. "The question is whether they will lead off with a concession of their own, or a provocation."

Roy added the Obama government would remain "receptive to a gesture by Pyongyang."

Alan Romberg, the director of the East Asia program at the Stimson Center, also said no major change in Washington's strategy is expected.

"It may well be that, in close collaboration with the Republic of Korea (South Korea) as well as with others in the Six-Party process, an effort may be made to see if North Korea is willing to re-engage in a serious way on denuclearization," he said. "But I would see that as very much in line with current policy." (Yonhap News)