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- As Delivered -

WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following remarks in the United States House of Representatives supporting of a resolution recognizing the importance of the United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral relationship (H.Res.634):

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I rise in support of this measure and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

“Let me start by thanking Mr. Salmon from Arizona, the Chair of our Asia Subcommittee, for offering this resolution.

“Mr. Speaker, this week, the Kim Regime in North Korea has again shown the world that it has no intention of abandoning its destabilizing and provocative pattern of behavior.  The recent missile launches are a reminder that we must keep up the pressure on that rogue country. 

“I’m glad President Obama and President Park of South Korea met this week about these latest tests, and I’m glad they agreed that the new UN sanctions against Pyongyang should be fully implemented.

“That meeting was a reminder that one of our best tools for dealing with North Korea is the United States-Japan-South Korea trilateral relationship.  These ties allow our countries to coordinate more closely on security issues, to share intelligence more quickly and effectively, and to pack a bigger punch as we work to hold the Kim regime in North Korea accountable for its atrocious record, and dangerous record, and terrible record on human rights.

“I’ve visited North Korea twice, Mr. Speaker, and I can tell you the people of that country deserve much, much better. 

“In my view, we should be looking for ways to work even more closely with South Korea and Japan.  And we need to keep up the pressure on China and Russia to do more to address the challenge of North Korea.  China can put pressure on North Korea.  China is the only one that can control what North Korea does, and yet all we get is lip service.  It’s  not acceptable.

“So I’m glad to support this measure.  It sends a message that Congress understands the value of this trilateral relationship as a cornerstone of regional stability.  I thank the Chairman.  I thank Mr. Salmon for his hard work and leadership.  And I reserve the balance of my time.”

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