Congressman Kim Calls on Trump Administration to Rescind Change in Defense Policy Towards South Korea

Statement

Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement in response to reports that the Trump Administration is demanding a 500 percent increase in payments to offset the costs of long-standing defense operations in South Korea.

"For nearly 70 years, the United States has had an unbreakable partnership with South Korea that has become the foundation to our security and prosperity in Asia and across the world. At a time when we have deep concerns about North Korea's nuclear weapons and about a rising China, weakening our alliance is wrong and is harmful to our national security. I met with the South Korean Ambassador to the United States today to reinforce our partnership and I strongly urge the Administration to rescind this policy that weakens our ability to counter the threat from North Korea"

Congressman Kim a co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force. He is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and as a Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. Prior to serving in Congress, Congressman Kim served in Afghanistan as Strategic Advisor to Generals David Petraeus and John Allen. Kim went on to serve as Director of Iraq in Obama's National Security Council where he coordinated the crisis response to countering the rise of ISIS.

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