North Korea's decision to launch a ballistic missile violates the moratorium agreement announced on February 29, 2012.

South Korea is an absolutely critical ally and partner in many ways.

I look forward to your testimony, particularly in talking about the proposed missile launch that North Korea is talking about doing in mid-April.

North Korea is about as unpredictable and dangerous actor as we have to deal with in the world today.

I concur completely in your opening remarks about the importance of the region, the importance of our alliance with South Korea, and the danger and the threat that North Korea poses to security in that region and, indeed, security in the…

This puts our 28,000 troops and the 24 million citizens of Seoul, the world's fourth largest city, easily within the erratic regime's lethal reach.

The readiness and posture of U.S. troops on the peninsula are key to stopping a dangerous regime from destabilizing the region with unwarranted attacks.

I have total confidence in you and your command. The challenge in Afghanistan continues to be great.

These decisions by the President have made it increasingly difficult to build up trust and confidence with the Afghan institutions.

I remain very concerned about the President's decision last summer to speed up withdrawal of the surge troops from Afghanistan.

Nobody on this committee, nobody in this country wants a permanent presence in Afghanistan.