Hoyer Statement on Apparent North Korean Nuclear Test

Press Release

For Immediate Release:

2016-01-06T00:00:00

Contact Info:

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today:

"Today's apparent nuclear test by North Korea reminds the world precisely why the United States and its international partners must take a firm line against any attempts by radical regimes to pursue nuclear weapons. While the enslaved people of North Korea starve behind a wall of fear and oppression, Kim Jong Un and his inner circle continue to use the pursuit of even more dangerous nuclear weapons technology to threaten our allies in South Korea and Japan in the hopes of legitimizing their brutal rule and blackmailing the United States and our partners into easing sanctions. They will not succeed.

"I agree with those who are calling for more pressure on Pyongyang, and I would strongly encourage the U.N. Security Council to impose additional sanctions against North Korea and those with whom it does business. I also stand strongly with our treaty allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of this provocation. In the wake of this apparent test, the international community, led by the United States and joined by China, ought to exert additional pressure on North Korea's leaders to demonstrate the united determination of the rest of the world not to allow such nuclear threats to continue. I will be monitoring this situation very closely as developments occur."

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