WASHINGTON - Following North Korea's admissions on nuclear development and some anti-American sentiment displayed in South Korea, the peninsula has come under increasing scrutiny from the United States Senate and Congress it was reported Friday. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed a variety of views on the pending issues and the following are excerpts from their comments:

Anti-American Sentiment

Congressman Henry Hyde (R. Illinois)
The house is bipartisan that Pyongyang should not be allowed to accelerate breakup of Korea-US ties, our devotion for the defense of South Korea is still solid, and close US-Korea alliance is as rightful as the unification of the two Koreas.

Congressman James Leach (R. Iowa)
We should pay attention to increasing negative attitudes towards the US in South Korea. While the anti-American sentiment could be a passing phase, it could be a challenge to the stability of the East Asian region. Washington and Seoul should immediately establish a comprehensive strategy to enhance a mature alliance based on mutual respect and interest. Even if anti-American sentiment from the last presidential election is uncomfortable, the US should respect South Korea's democratic process.

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (D. American Samoa)
The latest elected leader of the South seems not to want the USFK presence, as well as many South Koreans considering the series of protests. It is time that the US reconsiders its policy on Korean Peninsula. The People's Army is advanced near the Truce Line, and 37,000 US troops look like scapegoats waiting for death. If Koreans don't want it, the USFK should leave.

Congressman Ed Royce (R. California)
Anti-American demonstrations in the South have existed for the last 50 years, partly stimulated by North Korea's active propaganda. While I believe the US-Korea alliance can overcome such a challenge, Seoul needs to assume a larger responsibility for its own safety. Only then, the two countries could lessen unavoidable tension. German Doctor Nobert Vollertsen once told me South Korean students are wasting time and energy criticizing USFK instead of Kim Jong Il, and what foreigners are not aware of is that Korean student movement is greatly influenced by North Korea's propaganda.

Congressman Gary Ackerman (D. New York)
We can't tell Koreans that we are angry about candlelight vigils and the South should follow us because we fought for Korea fifty years ago. The US needs to look back on why we are called arrogant.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R. California)
If Koreans don't want the presence of US forces, we would gladly pull out and use the budget for something else. My father risked his life fighting in the Korean War. I am very afraid Koreans are using the tragic accident as a reason to be malicious toward the US.

North Korean Nuclear Program

Senator Richard Lugar (R. Indiana)
Washington should make clear to American citizens in the State and staying in Korea that it is prepared to, and needs to, use force against North Korea's weapons of mass destruction, and it is pursing all possible diplomatic channels at the same time. If any state allows terrorists with WMD to use its territory, the US is prepared to use diplomatic, economic, and military muscles to contain such a country. The principle also applies to North Korea.

Senator Joseph Byden (D. Delaware)
Washington claims the ball is in North Korea's court, and the North says in the US court. But in my opinion, the ball is caught in the net. Pyongyang and Washington should immediately open dialogue.

Senator Russel Feingold (D. Wisconsin)
Some remarks from the Bush Administration give an impression that it has already given up on North Korea's nuclear weapons possession.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D. California)
President Bush made a crucial mistake of including North Korea in the axis of evil, along with Iraq and Iran, at the state of the union last year. It made the situation worse.

Senator Carl Levin (D. Michigan)
We are at a critical juncture where North Korea, the largest missile proliferation state, is about to possess nuclear weapons. Washington is agitating North Korea's paranoia by refusing to talk directly with Pyongyang despite the fact that South Korea wants dialogue. Pyongyang could make an irrevocable, provocative action.

Senator Jack Reed (D. Rhode Island)
Unlike Iraq, North Korea has the military strength to make a surprise attack on the US. Also, North Korea is well ahead in nuclear weapons development. Because Washington is concentrating on Iraq, the bigger threat is overlooked.

Senator John Ensign (R. Nevada)
History teaches us that tyrannies don't respond to diplomacy. They rarely respond to talks. Only force could make them give in, and they only submit when they are in jeopardy. We should not repeat our mistakes of letting North Korea's despot break promises.

Congressman James Moran (R. Virginia)
North Korea wished to talk directly with Washington, but was turned down. The US should reopen dialogue channel as soon as possible.

Senator Sherrod Brown (D. Ohio)
It is surprising that North Korea is more actively developing nuclear weapons, and the Bush Administration has done nothing to stop it. The more we refuse to talk, the larger Pyongyang's nuclear stock will grow.

Congressman Gary Ackerman (D. New York)
North Korea would not be affected by additional sanctions by the international community. China, the largest sponsor of the North, should do something substantial.

Congressman Ed Royce (R. California)
It is naive to think that we could pay a regime with no intention of reform to strengthen it in exchange for stability. North Korean regime's morality should be continuously questioned. (Ju Yong-jung, midway@chosun.com )