WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the most recent missile test by North Korea:

“Less than one month after their illegal test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Kim Regime in Pyongyang has tested multiple ballistic missiles, once again threatening our allies and the peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region.

“There was a time when these tests were few and far between, but the regime is now conducting them with increasing frequency. Each one brings North Korea closer to a weapons capability that could threaten harm to the United States. North Korea presents a complicated diplomatic problem—one that has confounded Republican and Democratic Administrations for years but one that we cannot ignore.

“The United States government must act to address the threat from North Korea, and we should not act alone. The imperative facing the Trump Administration is to work with the international community, especially China and in the United Nations Security Council, to bring the Kim regime back to the negotiating table.  

“As part of a comprehensive strategy, I also believe that the United States should work with our allies in North East Asia to shore up their defensive capabilities vis-à-vis North Korea. I am pleased that the deployment of the defensive Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea seems to be on track and urge that Japan and South Korea continue their work to shore up and expand the GISOMIA arrangement that provides for the sharing of military intelligence.”

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