Daniel R. Russel: “The Obama administration has made the Asia-Pacific a strategic priority, based on America's stake in a prosperous and…”

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

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

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