WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― Wendy Sherman, nominated to become the State Department’s third highest-ranking official, on Wednesday emphasized that the U.S. should use the full range of foreign policy tools including a variety of “sticks and carrots” in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear program and other global problems.

In her confirmation hearing at the Senate, she said she would capitalize on her career as presidential speicial advisor on North Korea, staff member in Congress and others, if confirmed.

“This background has enabled me to develop skills as a negotiator, strategist, trouble-shooter and problem-solver,” Sherman, who has been nominated as under secretary of state for political affairs, said in her opening remarks.

Sherman, who was adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, worked from 1997 to 2001 as then- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s counselor and doubled as President Clinton’s policy coordinator on North Korea.

Her policy on Pyongyang remains politically controversial as conservative lawmakers claim that it was too much focused on granting “carrots” to the communist nation.

Sherman said it is important to take advantage of “the full range of foreign policy tools.”

“These extend from the simple art of persuasion to the persuasive impact of military force and include in between a variety of carrots and sticks,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of “persistence.”

“I think we make a mistake when we look for quick answers to hard problems,” she said. “American foreign policy must reflect a blend of idealism and realism.”