U.S. Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich is calling for a policy of continued pressure against North Korea.

Gingrich made the remarks at a campaign event in Mason City, Iowa in relation with U.S. policies on the Korean Peninsula following the death of Kim Jong-il.

The former U.S. House speaker said his nation’s ultimate goal is to get rid of dictatorial regimes.

Gingrich also claimed that the U.S. should complete the development of a ballistic missile defense system early and boost its capability to collect intelligence about North Korea.