Biden administration is open to sharing coronavirus vaccines with North Korea

The Biden administration is open to sharing coronavirus vaccines and other humanitarian assistance to help North Korea combat the deadly pandemic, according to two sources familiar with internal discussions.

Administration officials believe that the North Koreans won't be ready to engage with the US until the threat from the pandemic has passed, which is one reason why sharing vaccines could grease the wheels for initial diplomatic engagement, current and former officials said. But some experts and other officials are skeptical that any humanitarian outreach would draw North Korea to the table given the country's insistence on sanctions relief.