At a joint briefing with the Secretary of Defense, Minister of Defense Lee Song-hee says (through a translator) that Kim Jong-il is probably enjoying all the attention he’s getting, but it’s true that his health has significant implications, and the United States and Korea are monitoring the situation. They determine that he most likely has control of his administration, he says, and the Korean and United States will do its best to monitor the situation in a stable manner. We will coordinate our responses together as well. (0:56)

 

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At a joint briefing with the Minister of Defense- Korea, held at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says the United States reaffirmed its commitment to Korea, including an extention of its “nuclear umbrella.” He says they urge a swift resolution to the issue in North Korea using the six party talks. (0:52)

 

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At the Pentagon press briefing the Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, Gen Walter L. Sharp says the US will remain committed to the defense of Korea. We will give any additional support as required highlighted by significant naval and air support. (0:16)

 

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At the Pentagon press briefing the Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, Gen Walter L. Sharp says while the purpose is to deter aggression on the Korean peninsula, we’re prepared to react with overwhelming firepower to defeat any threat should it become necessary. (0:14)

 

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America’s shifting economic dominance and relations with Asia were discussed by Christopher Padilla, Undersecretary for International Trade at the US Department of Commerce, who spoke to a packed house at the American Enterprise Institute. He stressed the importance of forming free trade agreements with Asian countries, especially Korea and China.

According to Padilla, 60 percent of economic activity in Asian nations occurs within the continent, and the numbers are growing. He warned that continued stalling on the part of congress could result in huge economic losses for the United States.

The Undersecretary believes free trade agreements with nations like Korea are key to the United States’s continued influence in the region. Padilla stated that a hefty portion of the global GDP comes from Asia - nearly 40 percent - and the United States must solidify trade relations to ensure continued trade opportunities and economic superiority. In addition, he stressed the importance of continued dialogue between the East and West to facilitate both economic and international agendas.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom discusses their evaluation of North Korea at a press conference at the National Press Club on Friday May 2nd, 2008. (0:44)

 

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At the Senate Appropriations Committee, Joint Subcommittee meeting on “Homeless Veterans,” Senator Patty Murray(D-WA) said when our country fails to live up to obligations to our veterans, there is a result of high rates of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and chronic unemployment, and all of these are contributing factors to homelessness. Experts estimate that 1 in 4 of all the nation’s homeless are veterans. Our veterans are heroes, she said, and we must ensure that they never reach the point of homelessness. Women veterans are the fastest growing group of homeless veterans, and we must ensure that the Veteran’s Administration evolves along with the needs of the veterans that it is serving, but HUD (Housing and Urban Development) must take steps to promote affordable housing. (more…)

At the American Enterprise Institutes’s discussion on the future of U.S.- South Korean relations, Professor Bruce Bechtol discusses the challenges facing South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak. (0:32)

 

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The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today held a hearing used to determine the status of the Six Party Talks being used to try and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Chaired by Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), the Committee interrogated Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, praising him for the work he has done to ensure North Korea follows through on its commitment to “provide complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs, including weapons.”

Hill and the Committee were in agreement that progress has been made in the discussions held so far. Considering the fact that the Bush Administration was late to address the issue of eliminating Korean nuclear arms, Senator Kerry (D-MA) noted that Hill’s success has been particularly impressive,.

Talks also focused on other benefits associated with denuclearization. Biden reminded the Committee that the primary objective behind the Six Party Talks was not only to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, but also to provide their people with energy assistance, sanctions relief, and the creation of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. With success in these talks, America could gain security in a peaceful, effective manner.