readiness and posture are key to stopping a dangerous regime from destabilizing the region with unwarnted attacks. we look forward to your testimony. and we're glad to have you here with us today. >> thank you, member smith. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i concur completely in your opening marks about the importance of the region, the importance of our alliance, the threat that north korea poses to security in that region and, indeed, squirted in the world. i think general thurman for his leadership and fer all of those of you who serve earned him and trying to maintain the peace in that very, very unstable region. south korea is an absolutely critical ally and partner. our presence builds and shapes that relationship. my own state of washington has a very strong korean population that watches closely what goes on in the korean peninsula. so we appreciate your leadership. and, obviously, north korea is about as unpredictable and dangerous actor as we have to deal with in the world today. so it is a complicated job to make sure that we maintain security there without rising too much to the p