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Cardin Statement on Latest North Korean Missiles Launch

“The international community must be unified against North Korea if we are to successfully mitigate the threat posed by this regime across the entire Asia-Pacific region and to its own people through oppression and denial of their basic human rights.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Monday after North Korea launched four missiles that fell into the Sea of Japan:

“Today’s latest provocation is yet another reminder of the threat North Korea poses to the United States and our allies in the Pacific.  The Kim regime continues to develop and test missiles aimed at undermining the vital alliance structures we share with our partners in the region.”

“It is critical the United States push back against North Korea’s activities.  Our alliances with the Republic of Korea and Japan are mainstays in providing peace, security, and prosperity in the region, and the United States remains committed to ensuring the security of these countries.  I am pleased to see that the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system continues to move forward, as it provides the Republic of Korea with a critical defense infrastructure capable of defending against North Korean provocation.”

“Unfortunately, a great deal of work remains to be done.  I urge the Administration to redouble its efforts to work with our partners in the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as in the United Nations Security Council, to take proactive steps at curtailing North Korea’s dangerous and destabilizing actions.  The international community must be unified against North Korea if we are to successfully mitigate the threat posed by this regime across the entire Asia-Pacific region and to its own people through oppression and denial of their basic human rights.”

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