Anchor: The Pentagon made a request for a 30 billion dollar increase in defense budget to the U.S. Congress. Much of it has been called for to counter the nuclear threats, including from North Korea.
Alannah Hill has this report.
 
Report: During a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the U.S. is facing increasingly challenging security situations.
 
He identified some of the security threats, including the veto power sought by Russia and China over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of their neighboring countries, as well as terrorist attacks targeting many regions around the world, including the U.S.
 
Mattis also noted North Korea’s continuous provocative actions. He said such threats necessitate firm conventional military capability and strong nuclear deterrence on the U.S. side.
 
[Sound bite: U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis]
“This situation calls for our Department to maintain a safe and secure nuclear deterrent and a decisive conventional force that can also fight irregular enemies.”
 
In particular, Mattis pointed out that Pyongyang is not stopping its reckless rhetoric and provocative actions with its nuclear activities despite the international sanctions effectuated by the UN Security Council resolutions. He also expressed concerns about North Korea’s role in nuclear proliferation.
 
[Sound bite: U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis]
“We also see in the case of North Korea and Iran a proliferation issue… we see the reckless behavior north of the DMZ on the Korean Peninsula as unsettling the Northwestern Pacific, East Asia area.”
 
Emphasizing the U.S. needs more finance to deal with these new security challenges, the U.S. Defense Department called for 30 billion dollars worth of additional military budget.
 
Mattis said the U.S. will prioritize diplomatic solutions to conflicts with other countries, but asserted the military role will still not be overlooked, emphasizing the U.S. will maintain strong deterrence against security threats. 
Alannah Hill, KBS World Radio News.

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