Text Fwd: Obama’s Statement on North Korea

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http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/05/25/obamas-statement-on-north-korea/
May 25, 2009, 8:24 AM ET
Obama’s Statement on North Korea

President Barack Obama said today that North Korea’s latest nuclear test should be “a matter of grave concern to all nations” and accused Pyongyang of behaving recklessly and defying international will. Earlier, North Korea said that it had carried out a powerful underground nuclear test — much larger than one conducted in 2006. Here, the text of the president’s statement:

Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations. North Korea’s attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security.

By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. North Korea’s behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants action by the international community. We have been and will continue working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the U.N. Security Council in the days ahead.

UPDATE: Later Monday, from the White House Rose Garden, Obama made this statement:

Good morning, everybody. We are on our way to Arlington to remember the fallen and those who have served America with extraordinary valor.

But before I go there I wanted to say a few words about North Korea’s announcement that it has conducted a nuclear test, as well as its decision to attempt a short-range missile launch.

North Korea’s nuclear ballistic missile programs pose a great threat to the peace and security of the world and I strongly condemn their reckless action. North Korea’s actions endanger the people of Northeast Asia, they are a blatant violation of international law, and they contradict North Korea’s own prior commitments.

Now, the United States and the international community must take action in response. The record is clear: North Korea has previously committed to abandoning its nuclear program. Instead of following through on that commitment it has chosen to ignore that commitment. These actions have also flown in the face of United Nations resolutions. As a result North Korea is not only deepening its own isolation, it’s also inviting stronger international pressure — that’s evident overnight, as Russia and China, as well a our traditional allies of South Korea and Japan, have all come to the same conclusion: North Korea will not find security and respect through threats and illegal weapons.

We will work with our friends and our allies to stand up to this behavior and we will redouble our efforts toward a more robust international nonproliferation regime that all countries have responsibilities to meet.

In this effort the United States will never waiver from our determination to protect our people and the peace and security of the world.

Thank you, guys.

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