WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that fell into the Sea of Japan:

“North Korea’s ICBM test today is another indication that despite attempts to increase international pressure on Pyongyang, the Kim Jong-un regime is determined to continue its dangerous pursuit of a robust nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles testing program.   If left unchecked, North Korea will soon have an effective, if small, nuclear arsenal and the means to deliver it.  What is therefore required is an all-out diplomatic surge, led by the Trump Administration in collaboration with China and our Japanese and South Korean allies, where Pyongyang verifiably halts its nuclear and ballistic missile testing and we initiate negotiations toward denuclearization.

“At a time when more not less diplomacy is needed, President Trump and Secretary Tillerson continue their efforts to starve the State Department of resources, senior leadership and its important role in America’s national security apparatus.  In the middle of an international crisis with North Korea, it is hard to think of a more shortsighted, dangerous policy.”