OPINION:
The simple fact that North Korea is developing nuclear weapons, no matter how far along it is in the process, calls into question how secure our country really is (“Fourth North Korean nuclear test shows need for harsh, sustained sanctions — not diplomacy,” Web, Aug. 22).
In order for our country to have security against any rogue nation — whether North Korea or the rogue states and entities with which it is more than happy to share its nuclear technology — the United States must have a fully operational midcourse missile defense system in place. Only a system with a proven record of success, like the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), deserves our country’s trust.
Congress must immediately fully fund GMD, including the additional interceptors at current defense installations, update the “kill vehicle,” deploy the newest radar systems in order to better track incoming missiles, and focus on building an East Coast site.
As North Korea strides toward becoming a nation with nuclear weapons and seeks to share that technology with those who would gladly do us harm, we must improve our defense systems to ensure we can protect our citizens from any attack.
The cost for such a system is less than half of one percent of the defense budget. An entire system that could protect us from a nuclear attack should cost less than what the U.S. government spends on office supplies.
SUZANNE SCHOLTE
President, Defense Forum Foundation
Chairman, North Korea Freedom Coalition
Falls Church
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