As tensions with North Korea rise, a Florida congressman is calling for more readiness in case that nation launches an attack on American allies.
U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., the vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, brought out a resolution this week urging the quick deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to protect against North Korean missile attacks. Yoho’s resolution also urges the Chinese regime to stop efforts against South Korea over THAAD.
Yoho made the case for his resolution on Thursday.
"With the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States, it is important, through this resolution, that we support the timely deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea and urge China to cease its unwarranted retaliation against South Korea in response to the deployment,” Yoho said. “China has done little to stop North Korea's provocative and destabilizing behavior that has included nuclear tests, ballistic missile launches and chemical weapons use like the VX nerve agent. These actions pose a direct and serious threat to our key South Korean ally, and to the U.S.-ROK alliance which constitutes a lynchpin of U.S. foreign policy in maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and beyond.
"I commend the Korean government for its firm commitment and timely cooperation to ensure the effective deployment of THAAD,” Yoho added. “I also want to express my gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our 28,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that constitute the U.S. Forces Korea and who so honorably defend the U.S.-ROK alliance against any and all North Korean aggression."
Efforts to build a THAAD anti-missile system began earlier this month in South Korea as a safeguard against North Korea’s growing missile inventory. Yoho rounded up five co-sponsors for the proposal: Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers of Alabama and Mike Kelly and Tom Marino of Pennsylvania and Democratic U.S. Reps. Ami Bera and Gerald Connolly. The resolution was sent to the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.
