Ted Lieu Blasts Trump's Handling Of North Korea

MARINA DEL REY, CA -- Congressman Ted Lieu, whose district includes Marina Del Rey, on Monday blasted the Trump administration's handling of the North Korean crisis.

Instead of seeking a diplomatic effort to de-escalate tension in the Korean peninsula, Pres. Donald Trump's "escalating moves" are endangering American lives and troops, he said. The statement came after Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced visit to the Demilitarized Zone at the border between North Korea and South Korea.

In an interview with CNN at the border, Pence said that the new administration's plans to deal with North Korea and its authoritarian government will diverge from that of past presidencies.

"We're going to abandon the failed policy of strategic patience," he told CNN. "But we're going to redouble our efforts to bring diplomatic and economic pressure to bear on North Korea. Our hope is that we can resolve this issue peaceably."

Lieu said the administration hasn't been working very hard if it is considering military options and shutting off diplomatic options in less than 100 days in office. He also accused the Trump administration of reacting to the North Korean regime's provocation by ratcheting up tensions.

“The reality is that North Korea is still years away from having an operational ICBM that would endanger the U.S. homeland," he said. "What they have now is a massive stockpile of artillery and ballistic missiles aimed at Seoul, Tokyo, and every American military base in the region. A preemptive U.S. military strike -- or a preemptive strike by a rattled North Korea -- could lead to millions dead.”

The congressman said the role of the United States is to "de-escalate conflicts and increase international norms."

"The military option should always be the last resort," Lieu said.

Patch editor Cody Fenwick contributed to this report. Photo courtesy of Ted Lieu's office