House Democrats urge a 'comprehensive' North Korea strategy

A bloc of House Democrats, criticizing President Donald Trump's rhetoric on North Korea as destabilizing, is urging the administration "to adopt a strong, strategic and steady policy toward North Korea."

In a letter to the president, 68 Democratic lawmakers labeled his recent rhetoric "counterproductive."

"Rather than using reckless rhetoric and sending muddled messages to our allies, the U.S. should pursue a comprehensive strategy toward North Korea that consists of economic pressure, strong and steady diplomacy and credible deterrence and defense," the lawmakers argued.

The group called for greater enforcement of economic sanctions against North Korea to make it harder for it to advance its missile and nuclear programs. They also endorsed stepped-up diplomacy with the North Korean regime as well as the establishment of crisis-management channels to reduce the risk of war through miscalculation.

The lawmakers also urged Trump to fill key arms control and Asia policy positions at the Pentagon and State Department, including the assistant Defense secretary for Asian Pacific security affairs, an assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs and an ambassador to South Korea.

Additionally, the group advocated for increase intelligence sharing and defense cooperation with Japan and South Korea.

The letter was organized by Democratic Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts and Jimmy Panetta of California, who are co-chairs of the House Democratic National Security Task Force.