LIEBERMAN PRAISES U.S.--SOUTH KOREA ACTIONS TO STRENGTHEN ALLIANCE, DETER NORTH KOREA

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) today issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s recent steps to strengthen America's alliance with South Korea at the “two-plus-two” talks in Seoul between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and their South Korean counterparts:

“I applaud the steps announced this week by the Obama administration to strengthen the U.S.-South Korean alliance, which is a pillar of security and stability both in the Asia-Pacific region and increasingly, throughout the world,” Lieberman said. “Now more than ever, it is imperative that our two nations stand shoulder to shoulder.

“Like many of my colleagues, I will closely follow the joint military exercises that will take place off both the western and eastern coasts of the Korean peninsula in the months ahead. These exercises should send a strong deterrent message to North Korea and demonstrate America's unwavering commitment to security on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region.

“I also applaud the Administration's decision to impose new sanctions against North Korea's leadership and its proliferation activities. North Korea must understand that it will only be readmitted into the family of nations when Pyongyang fully and verifiably ends its illicit nuclear activities. Until then, all responsible stakeholders in the international system must increase the pressure on North Korea.

“Lastly, I am grateful that the Obama administration has reconfirmed its support for the Korea-U.S. FTA. This agreement is critically important both for America's economic recovery and for our national security in Asia. As the President has now said, we need to get it done -- and I am confident we will.”

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