Obama issues statement of "grave concern" over North Korea

The White House issued a statement today on behalf of President Obama regarding the urgent situation in North Korea. The president calls the situation on the Korean Peninsula a matter of "grave concern."

The statement calls North Korea's announced nuclear test and suspected missile test "blatant defiance" of the U.N. Security Council that "directly and recklessly" challenges the international community, increasing regional tensions and deepening North Korea's isolation.

Earlier, the State Department had issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over the reported test. Soon after, the White House produced its own statement on behalf of the president, an obvious escalation of concern and importance, which was immediately flashed around Asia, where it was a normal Monday.

The full text of the president's statement is below.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Statement from the President Regarding North Korea

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.   ###

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Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Mauricio Villablanca]

What will the empty suit do about it? Go cry to the UN Security Council or maybe demand explanations from Hillary whose husband is the person who led us to this point?

[FuzzyWuzzy]

Is the CIA deceiving Nancy Pelosi about North Korea too? Those little devils......

[sudmuf]

Barry knew this was going to happen. Our intelligence isn't that bad. This is a canned statement prepared for this event.

[deroy]

must be that CIA lying again to pelosi.
and then she didn't tell obama because she thought the CIA was lying again.

[deroy]

maybe he'll call Katie's coffee job and ask BIDEN what to do.

oh, can't call Katie's because it was closed in 1988.
but ol' uncle joe still gets coffee there everyday.

[tommy boy]

IF this country was still strong or had some type of power behind the words we would retake control over N Korea and stop this program in its tracks, but since we are showing that "talking" is so effective, why would we want to stop our enemies from have the ability to take out American cities very easily. We all know that the stern voice of B Hussein O worked about the missile launch... I do find it scary that not a couple of months ago a ballistic missile was tested capable of a nuke payload, and now a nuke was set off, but no they are not a threat. We are all fucked and God Bless Texas. We have the Texas Rangers and Marcus Luttrell, we can survive, can the rest of yall?

[Brian]

Wow. We are gravely concerned. I feel safe. I'd feel even safer is we'd have said we are super duper gravely concerned.

[awwww]

You said it Mauricio. What is that clown going to do? Nothing. You wanted change you got it. Impractical ideals in an not so idealistic world.

[wmm]

But, but ... Obama is not Bush!

[Chuck Mason]

I think it is time to stop the 6 party talks, realize China is behind it all and sign legislation outlawing China, North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Belarus and a few others. Once signed by Mr. Obama, he can begin bombing them all in 5 minutes. This person understands we will be nuking each one.

[st bernardo]

welcome to obamappeasement...the do nothing president

[Ron S]

I imagine that Kim Jong-Il is trembling in his boots now that Obama and the UN have condemned his actions. I sure feel a lot safer now; don't you?

[daisey]

No problem, He's got a handle on this. He is showing "grave" concern. This is a step up from "deeply concerned" and two steps up from "troubled". We will assure them of our friendship and understanding and reach out to them with an "extended hand instead of a closed fist." No way the crazy little man in NK would ever do us harm.

[no hay problema]

there is no problem, Albright clinked glasses with this guy and clinton played the Sax

isn't that enough for liberals?

[Dutra]

Mr. President is up to 2 packs a day and an extra patch.

He has considered dropping a 'Good Intentions' bomb on North Korea, followed by a swarm of 'Love Ambassadors'.

This White House just doesn't get it. There truly are EVIL people out there. And they are capable of doing BAD things to GOOD people.

[Jake]

oooooo.."grave concern"...I bet they're sorry now and will never do that again...

[Matthew Simon]

Enough tough talk already! When is the U.N. going to put some bite behind that bark? Now is the best opportunity to show the world that North Korea has made a grave error by pounding it's military facilities with an air strike as soon as possible....and send out a clear message to nations like Iran that we will not tolerate this blatant defiance of International Law.That would be ideal, but Barack Obama just doesn't have the balls to do it....I wish he would prove me wrong as soon as possible....I really really do.

[Curmudgeon10]

This is not as alarming as one might think. President Obama has not yet had time to charm the North Koreans. He needs to invite them to Washington for some dinners and pick up basketball games. That always works, doesn't it?

Oh, wait, I think Bibi didn't buy that strategy. And Ahmadinejead is not quite on the reservation either.

But I'm still not worried. After all, President Obama just articulated his vision for our defense against rogues: the Sir Lancelot paradigm. We have the strength of ten because our hearts are pure, etc.

[Larry Flynn]

It is nice to have a tough leader in the White House. Let Obama's words be a warning to Luxembourg in case they want to try something....the President may just get angry with them as well and try to embargo shipments of Arugala. In the Meantime, could we have a "guest President" or and "International Exchange President" and see if Netanyahu is available?

[HMIchaelH]

"Oh No, Mr. Bill! Not another U.N. Resolution? Please, Please, Please, don't let the American President make another Statement condemning North Korea! Oh, the pain,,,,,the pain. This is really going to hurt. How many more Resolutions and Statements can we take? Don't let the U.S. State Dept express 'Deep Concern!' This is really killing us! Before you know it, the United Nations will call a Security Council meeting, and that's really, really, really going to make me think I better stop this!"

Signed

Love,
Kim Jong-Il

[justltl]

Obama's gravely concerned?
OK, good.
I'll wait to hear what the teleprompter has to say.

[Kathy]

Yeah, you tell em Obama. Let them know just how naughty you think they are and that will fix it.

[bob the builder]

Who cares as long as we can get the necessary money to get the health care program going, right!

[Bobc]

The UN is a joke, they need to be kicked out of our Country, all they want is $$$.

I am getting the feeling Obama is just a spokesperson, and someone else is doing the heavy work.....he is also a big fan of the UN.

[Ryan]

I thought all Obama had to do was was sit down and have a reasonable little chat with irrational dictators and terrorists and we would have world peace. You know, because historically that has worked out so very well.