Daniel R. Russel

I think that this is a classic case of Beijing seeking to exploit the inherent rights and freedoms of maritime user states in UNCLOS, without accepting the limitations and the responsibilities of UNCLOS members.

the situation and the challenge set that the United States and our allies and partners face in maritime space in the Indo-Pacific is so serious that we simply don't have the luxury of opting to ignore one of the limited tools at our…

The tremendous pressure that we have applied through both multilateral and national sanctions has generated serious headwinds for the DPRK regime.

The short answer, Senator Markey, is yes. We are concerned lest there be an escalatory cycle on the Korean Peninsula.

We have united the world so that North Korea is denied regular access to the international system.

We deter North Korea through a strong defensive military posture rooted in our alliances with South Korea and Japan.

Our strategy is based on deterrence, on diplomacy, and on pressure.

We continue to make clear to the North that we are ready at any time to engage in credible negotiations on denuclearization.

Our relationships with our partners is not one of force; it is one of cooperation and one of persuasion.

We have no better allies or partners than Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Our ability to ensure both for ourselves and for others the unimpeded right to navigate, to conduct lawful commerce is at the heart of our economic interests as well as our national security interests.