House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., called on President Trump not to back down in his “maximum pressure” campaign against the North Koreans after Trump canceled the planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next month.
“The North Korean regime has long given ample reason to question its commitment to stability,” Ryan said in a statement. “We must continue to work with our allies toward a peaceful resolution, but that will require a much greater degree of seriousness from the Kim regime.”
“At the same time, Congress has provided significant tools to hold North Korea accountable, and it is important that the United States not relent in this maximum pressure campaign,” Ryan said.
In an open letter to Kim, Trump cited “open hostility” by the North Koreans less than three weeks ahead of the planned summit, adding that it would be “inappropriate” to hold this meeting at the moment.
“I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting,” Trump wrote.
“Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place,” he continued. “You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.”
