Congressman Meehan Reacts to Death of Kim Jong Il

Today, Dec. 19, U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-07), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, issued the following statement on the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il:

“The United States and its allies must ensure that any instability on the Korean Peninsula does not result in increased proliferation of North Korea's nuclear or ballistic missile technology. North Korea has long been a state sponsor of terrorism and has supplied nuclear and ballistic missile technology to the world's top rogue nations, including Iran, Syria, and Libya.  The spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is a top U.S. national security threat and any vacuum of leadership in North Korea could pose significant proliferation challenges. We must remain vigilant and ensure that North Korea does not use a period of transition to foment terrorism or enhance its ongoing illicit nuclear proliferation program.”