Statements by the US Senate Regarding North Korea’s Attack on Yeonpyeong-do, South Korea

The following statements were made by President Obama and various senators and representatives from the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Readout of the President’s Call with President Lee of the Republic of Korea
 
This evening, President Obama called President Lee to tell him that the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our close friend and ally, the Republic of Korea. The President strongly condemned the attack by North Korea on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, which took the lives of at least two Koreans and injured many more.
 
President Obama told President Lee that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the loved ones of those who were killed or wounded, and with all of the Korean people. President Obama said that North Korea must stop its provocative actions, which will only lead to further isolation, and fully abide by the terms of the Armistice Agreement and its obligations under international law.
 
Going forward, the United States remains firmly and fully committed to the defense of its ally the Republic of Korea. The United States will work with the international community to strongly condemn this outrageous action by North Korea, and to advance peace and security in the region.
 
The two Presidents agreed to hold combined military exercises and enhanced training in the days ahead to continue the close security cooperation between our two countries, and to underscore the strength of our Alliance and commitment to peace and security in the region.
 
 
Boehner Statement on North Korea’s Hostile Action Against South Korea
 
Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement responding to North Korea’s artillery attack on a South Korean island:
 
“North Korea is an unstable, aggressive regime, and I join the President in condemning its hostile action today.  We will stand by South Korea and are firmly committed to defending our ally.  Recent news reports suggest that North Korea may be developing an enriched uranium program, which could give it a second path toward having nuclear weapons it can use to threaten peaceful nations.  Coupled with North Korea’s pursuit of a ballistic missile capability, it’s clear we must get serious about our homeland missile defense capabilities, as Republicans promised to do in our Pledge to America.”
 
 
Brownback Condemns North Korea’s Attacks on South Korean Island of Yeonpyeong
 
WASHINGTON ? U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today condemned North Korea for attacking the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong.
 
“North Korea has demonstrated once again that it is uninterested in peace or cooperation,” said Brownback.  “China should be embarrassed that its policy with North Korea is allowing the East Asian region to become destabilized.  China, North Korea’s benefactor, should stop providing financial and military assistance to North Korea, and instead assist the North Korean refugees flowing into China.”
 
North Korea today shelled Yeonpyeong, an island near the disputed border between North and South Korea which houses South Korean military installations and has a small civilian population.  The two states then exchanged artillery fire.  Two South Korean marines were killed; sixteen South Korean soldiers and three civilians were injured.  Villagers’ homes have been burned and destroyed.
 
Brownback in the past has sponsored legislation to aid North Korean refugees as well as legislation that would put North Korea back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
 
 
Ros-Lehtinen Statement on North Korean Aggression
 
(WASHINGTON) ? U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today regarding North Korea’s military attack on a South Korean island which resulted in at least two deaths:
 
“This unprovoked attack by North Korea against its democratic neighbor is but the latest example of Pyongyang’s increasingly aggressive posture. It comes on the heels of news reports about clandestine nuclear activities by the North Korean regime and a United Nations report of North Korean proliferation to other pariah states such as Iran, Syria, and Burma. Considered together, it is even more obvious that North Korea poses a serious threat to U.S. security interests and allies in the region.
 
“As with the attack earlier this year on the South Korean warship Cheonan, the United States must stand firmly with our steadfast ally South Korea during this crisis.
 
“As North Korea has ratcheted up its aggression over the past two years, I am concerned that the U.S. response has been too weak. This may have led Pyongyang to calculate that it can get away with even more. The U.S. must move to immediately re-list North Korea as a state-sponsor of terrorism and call on all responsible nations to adopt tough new sanctions on the North Korea regime.
 
“China, which wields significant influence over North Korea, must stop enabling the regime and join responsible nations in sending an unequivocal message to Pyongyang: abandon your aggressive agenda now.”
 
 
McConnell Statement on North Korea’s Latest Hostile Action
 
LOUISVILLE, KY- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement Tuesday regarding North Korea’s Provocation:
 
“As the people of the Republic of Korea question what new belligerent action may come from the North, they should not have any question that the people and forces of the United States stand ready as a devoted ally committed to the defense of their nation. I join the President in his strong condemnation of what is sadly just the latest in a long string of hostile actions. North Korea’s neighbors should unite in condemning this attack.” 
 
 
Manzullo Condemns North Korean Attack on South Korea, Urges Calm
 
More than 25,000 US troops stationed in South Korea
 
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Global Environment, strongly condemned North Korea’s unprovoked attack on South Korea this morning that resulted in the death of two South Korean marines and scores of civilians injured.
 
“North Korea’s massive artillery attack against South Korea reminds us that Kim Jung Il remains a serious threat to our collective security,” Manzullo said. “With more than 25,000 American troops stationed in South Korea, North Korea’s action threatens Korean and American lives, and we should not tolerate this type of behavior.”
Manzullo noted that this attack on South Korea follows North Korea’s sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March and fresh revelations made public earlier this week regarding the North’s hidden nuclear enrichment process. 
 
“The United States’ current North Korea policy isn’t working.  North Korea believes it can act with impunity, and we risk being drawn into a conflict if we cannot stop North Korea diplomatically,” Manzullo said. “I call on the Obama Administration, working in conjunction with Congress, to craft a strong policy to prevent further aggression.” 
 
 
Skelton on North Korean Shelling of South Korean Island
 
Washington, D.C. ? House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) released the following statement on North Korea’s artillery attack against the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong: 
 
“The North Korean regime is more dangerous than most people realize.  I join the Administration in strongly condemning North Korea for its artillery attack against South Korea. This provocative attack is reprehensible and is in direct violation of the Armistice Agreement.  Such behavior is unacceptable.
 
“I am pleased that the U.S. is making efforts to fully support the Republic of Korea, and I encourage the Administration to continue working closely with the Republic of Korea and our other allies and partners to ensure peace and stability in the region.”
 
 
Royce Reacts to North Korean Attack on South Korean Island
 
“The regime has shown its DNA for those willing to see it”
 
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Member of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee and senior member of the Subcommittee on Asia issued the following statement in reaction to North Korea’s artillery attack against the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong:        
 
“This is the latest in a long list of aggressive acts by the North Korean regime.
 
“Those that have watched Pyongyang shred international agreements, attack its neighbors and race towards nuclear weapons are not surprised by its latest attack on innocents. The regime has long shown its DNA for those willing to see it.
 
“Maybe this attack will wake-up American diplomats addicted to soft-line diplomacy.
 
“The United States is right to condemn this attack and to stand by our South Korean ally in the pursuit of stability in a region of critical importance.” Latest reports indicate that the attack set dozens of residential homes on fire, wounded civilians and soldiers and killed two South Korean Marines.     
 
 
Statement by Senator John McCain on the North Korean Attack on South Korea
 
Washington, D.C. ? U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today made the following statement regarding the North Korean attack on South Korea:
“I was deeply saddened and outraged to learn that two South Korean Marines were killed in this latest act of North Korean aggression. My thoughts and prayers today are with the families of the fallen, and I join the Korean people in mourning this tragic loss of life. North Korea’s continued belligerence toward the Republic of Korea is unacceptable, and the United States stands ready to assist our Korean ally in defending itself.
 
“This latest attack is anything but an isolated incident. Together with recent reports that North Korea has assembled a new uranium enrichment facility and its sinking earlier this year of the South Korean corvette, Cheonan, which killed 46 South Korean sailors, today’s attack is part of a long and troubling pattern of North Korean aggression, provocation, and total disregard for its own international agreements. Two decades worth of attempts to appease this North Korean regime have failed, and further attempts to do so will meet with the same result. The Chinese government has perhaps the most influence on North Korea, and for the sake of regional security and stability, I urge China to play a more direct and responsible role in changing North Korea’s reckless behavior.”
 
 
Berman Condemns North Korea’s Attack on South Korea, Nuclear Activities
 
Calls for Greater International Regulation of Technology
 
Washington, DC ? Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today expressed deep concern over North Korea’s aggression against South Korea.
 
“Today’s artillery attack by North Korea is a grave threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang should cease immediately its aggressive actions. I would also like to express my sympathy to the South Korean people for the loss of life and destruction of property as a result of the North’s attack.
 
“North Korea’s hostility seriously undermines regional peace and stability. I especially urge China to play a more active role in persuading North Korea to stop its belligerence; a destabilized Korean Peninsula is in no one’s interest ? least of all China, North Korea’s nearest neighbor and ally.  China should immediately suspend economic and energy assistance to show Pyongyang that its aggression has consequences.
 
“This is just the latest in a long line of outrageous provocations by North Korea.  This weekend’s revelations about a new, operational uranium enrichment plant is among the most worrisome, as it will enable North Korea to again expand its nuclear arsenal.
 
“We have known for some time that North Korea has been pursuing a uranium enrichment capability, and was assisted in this effort by A.Q. Khan’s network.  It is not clear if Pyongyang also received assistance from other international sources, and if such outside support continues to the present day.
 
“These revelations about the North Korean enrichment facility, taken together with Iran’s similar enrichment program, underscore the urgent need for the international community to impose strict new regulations on the trade in uranium enrichment equipment and other sensitive technologies that can be used to make nuclear weapons.  A useful place to begin would be for all international suppliers of civil nuclear equipment to require that all recipients forswear the acquisition of any new national uranium enrichment or reprocessing facility or activities as a condition of supply.”
 
 
Sen. Levin Statement on Situation in Korea
 
WASHINGTON ? Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., made the following statement today regarding the situation in Korea:
 
“The attack by North Korea is just the latest example of North Korea’s irresponsible behavior and further evidence of its continued, reckless defiance of international norms. We must stand in solidarity with the Republic of Korea and with all those who desire peace and stability in that region: North Korea clearly does not. The international community must take quick action to condemn this new aggression by North Korea and work together to address the continuing challenges on the Korean Peninsula. Hopefully China will add its voice to this condemnation.”
 
 
Rep. Burton Strongly Condemns North Korean Attack on South Korea
 
Washington, D.C. ? Today, Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05), Republican Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea issued the following statement in response to North Korea’s artillery attack on the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong:
 
“Once again Kim Jong Il’s despotic communist regime has shattered the peace of the Korean peninsula. I stand with President Obama in strongly condemning this atrocity, and I call on President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to rally the international community against these attacks and send a strong message to Kim Jong Il that the world stands strongly behind the people of South Korea.”
 
 
Rep. Loretta Sanchez Condemns North Korean Artillery Attack
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), the ranking female member on the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement regarding news that two South Korean soldiers were killed and fifteen were wounded after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells at South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island:
 
“As the ranking female member on the House Armed Services Committee, I strongly condemn North Korea’s recent hostile attack against South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island. As a result of North Korea’s unprovoked, irresponsible actions, two South Korean marines have been killed and fifteen soldiers and civilians have been wounded. North Korea bears full responsibility for this tragic loss of life, as well as creating additional hostility and uncertainty in a region already ripe with tension.
 
“In the wake of this attack, the U.S. and South Korea have joined together to send the message that our nations will not tolerate acts of military aggression by North Korea or any other state. The U.S.-South Korea alliance is strong and we are committed to securing the region from potential threats. For the sake of the entire region, North Korea must show more restraint in its actions moving forward
 
McKeon Statement on North Korean Shelling of South Korea
 
Washington, D.C.?U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement condemning North Korea’s artillery attack against South Korea:
 
“I join with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to condemn North Korea’s unprovoked attack on the Republic of Korea.  This latest act of aggression by the North Korean regime is a deliberate escalation of an already tense situation.  The United States and the international community, including China, has a responsibility to do all it can to support South Korea in the face of this latest belligerence from the north.”

유권자 센터는 불안한 모국의 안전과 안정을 위하여 미국이 적극적인 역할을 해줄 것을 요청하는 편지를 미 외교위원회 관련 핵심의원들에게 보냈다. 편지의 전문은 아래와 같다.

Dear   : Representative

On behalf of the Korean American Community, I am writing to deliver Korean American community’s concerns on the growing tension in the Korean Peninsula and to ask you to take appropriate actions to maintain peace and stability in the region on the firm basis of the U.S.-Korea Alliance.

As you already know, violating the terms of the Armistice Agreement, North Korea conducted an artillery attack against Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, and it left two soldiers and two civilians killed, 15 soldiers and three civilians wounded. It caused turmoil not only in South Korean society, but also in the Korean American community, which is keeping strong links to the mother country. Concerned with the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Korean Americans are unable to continue their daily businesses.

We, Korean Americans, strongly believe that the crisis should be settled peacefully. There should be no more armed conflicts in the peninsula.

Therefore, Korean Americans urgently and respectfully urge you to take all appropriate actions that will stop North Korea from conducting further provocative actions, peacefully stabilize the situation, and ultimately bring permanent peace to the region based on the strong U.S.-Korea Alliance.

Also, we ask Congress and the Obama Administration to put North Korean issues in the highest priority that should be imminently resolved. Even though North Korea has been taking a series of provocative military actions and many pundits warned its dangerousness, North Korea was always in a lower priority compared to Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria. It is time for the United States to take the threat seriously and to resolve North Korean issues peacefully to bring permanent peace in the region.

With our best wish for “Peace” in the Korean Peninsula,