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Randall Schriver

Randall Schriver, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is reportedly the leading contender to serve as Assistant Secretary of State handling Korean Peninsula, China, and Japan affairs for the State Department under the incoming Donald Trump administration.

According to accounts from Washington sources on Jan. 6, Schriver is seen as a near lock to be appointed an assistant secretary for East Asian affairs either in the State or Defense Department. Schriver is currently working on Trump’s transitional committee as an advisory committee member for East Asia policy. During the election, he served as a bridge between the Trump camp and the Republican Party mainstream.

Schriver is seen as part of the team of former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who emphasizes the importance of both military strength and soft power. But Schriver has also shown hard-line leanings toward China, calling for checks against Beijing through a stronger relationship with Taiwan.

The Washington Post reported on Jan. 9 that Matthew Pottinger, a media veteran who has taken a hard line on Beijing, was the top potential pick as White House National Security Council senior aide for Asian affairs. In addition to Schriver’s selection as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, it also named Center for Strategic and International Studies Korea chair and George W. Bush administration NSC senior Asian affairs aide Victor Cha as a likely contender for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs. Lack of working experience with China was cited a potential weakness for Cha, who is seen as a hard-liner on North Korea.

By Yi Yong-in, Washington correspondent

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