Recently I was confronted by the assertion that “Madam Albright basically handed nuclear technology to North Korea”.
Now, I admit I wasn’t paying that much attention to politics during this era, so I only have some vague recollections of the Agreed Framework and her visit to Pyongyang. On the other hand, I’m reasonably sure that the source of this statement isn’t actually asserting that our Secretary of State arrived there with a procedure manual under her arm. Thus, I suspect this will end up as a debate regarding the actual effects of the Clinton era on NK’s nuclear program.
Anyway, can anyone help me understand where this accusation comes from?
I don’t have time to search for any backing on this, but my speculation is that they are referring to her negotiation of the agreed framework, and the North Korean’s non compliance with the same while still receiving the benefits.
I’m not saying that I agree with this perception, but it’s the only way I can get their statement to even look at reality, much less meet up with it.
If you replaced “Madam Albright” with “the US Legislative Branch” or even “President Bush Administration’s North Korea Policy” you would be closer to the truth in my opinion, though the truth is more complicated. Regardless, I am sure they were talking about the agreed framework. Wikipedia has a pretty good overview here. Check out the sections on implementation and breakdown especially.