WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- Incoming President Donald Trump's nominee for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director assessed Wednesday that North Korea remains a "destabilizing" force, as he stressed America faces what may be the "most challenging" national security environment in its history.

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The Senate intelligence committee has opened a hearing for John Ratcliffe, Trump's nominee for CIA director. Ratcliffe, a former lawmaker, faces allegations of politicizing intelligence during his previous tenure.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump's pick for CIA director, John Ratcliffe, on Wednesday vowed not to fire or force out employees for their political views or their opinions about the incoming U.S. leader, who frequently has attacked the agency and its assessments.

Former Texas congressman John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to ... He identified trans-national criminal organizations crossing the Southern border, Russia, Iran and North Korea as pressing national security threats.

John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA, has told members of the Senate that the nation's premier spy agency can do better.

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director ... and that Russia, Iran, North Korea and drug cartels, hacking gangs and terrorist organizations also pose ...

The new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) becomes the second Cabinet member of US President Donald Trump's administration. View on euronews

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate confirmed former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe to serve as the next director of the CIA on Thursday.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead America's premier spy agency and his second nominee to win Senate approval.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director ... and that Russia, Iran, North Korea and drug cartels, hacking gangs and terrorist organizations also pose challenges to national ...