III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 444 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 6, 2008 Mr. Biden (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations February 14, 2008 Considered and agreed to with an amended preamble RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the strong alliance that has been forged between the United States and the Republic of Korea and congratulating Myung-Bak Lee on his election to the presidency of the Republic of Korea.

Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea enjoy a comprehensive alliance partnership founded in shared strategic interests and cemented by a commitment to democratic values; Whereas the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has been forged in blood and honed by struggles against common adversaries; Whereas on December 19, 2007, the Senate passed S. Res. 279, marking the 125th anniversary of the 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation between the Kingdom of Chosun (Korea) and the United States, and recognizing that the strength and endurance of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea should be acknowledged and celebrated; Whereas during the 60 years since the founding of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea, with unwavering commitment and support from the United States, has accomplished a remarkable economic and political transformation, rising from poverty to become the 11th largest economy in the world and a thriving multi-party democracy; Whereas the economic relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea is deep and growing and has been mutually beneficial to both countries; Whereas there are deep cultural and personal ties between the people of the United States and the people of the Republic of Korea, as exemplified by the large flow of visitors and exchanges each year between the 2 countries and the nearly 2,000,000 Korean Americans who currently reside in the United States; Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea are working together to address the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and to build a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula; Whereas this alliance is promoting international peace and security, economic prosperity, human rights and the rule of law, not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also throughout the world; and Whereas Myung-Bak Lee, who won election to become the next President of the Republic of Korea, has affirmed his deep commitment to further strengthening the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, by expanding areas of cooperation and realizing the full potential of our mutually beneficial partnership: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate congratulates Myung-Bak Lee on his election to the presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishes him and the Korean people well on his inauguration on February 25, 2008.