[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1149 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 1149

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     December 11, 2018.
Whereas the United States Armed Forces and South Korean troops fought together 
        to defend the Korean peninsula from Communist aggression before the 
        Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953, and the United States of 
        America and the Republic of Korea have continued this camaraderie since 
        signing the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the 
        Republic of Korea that same year;
Whereas the Republic of Korea is a model for alliance burden-sharing, currently 
        hosting 28,500 American active-duty military personnel, funding fifty 
        percent of the total non-personnel costs of the U.S. troop presence on 
        the Korean peninsula, fielding the world's seventh-largest military, and 
        spending over 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product on defense;
Whereas the Republic of Korea is among the closest allies of the United States, 
        having contributed troops in support of United States operations during 
        the Vietnam war, Gulf war, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while 
        also supporting numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions throughout 
        the world;
Whereas United States forces on the Korean Peninsula are critical not only to 
        the security of the Republic of Korea but also to protect against 
        adversaries that threaten regional stability and the United States 
        homeland;
Whereas the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command is the most integrated and 
        effective combined military command in the world and, taken together 
        with the United Nations Command, has formed a structure that has 
        provided effective defense and deterrence on the Korean Peninsula for 
        decades;
Whereas North Korea has the world's fourth-largest military, in addition to 
        potentially as many as 60 nuclear weapons and between 2,500 and 5,000 
        metric tons of chemical weapons;
Whereas the United States supports the Republic of Korea's efforts at peace and 
        reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula and recognizes the critical 
        importance of close policy coordination between Washington and Seoul;
Whereas in February 2017, a United Nations investigatory body confirmed that 
        North Korea attempted to sell key materials for constructing 
        miniaturized nuclear warheads, and found that ballistic missile 
        cooperation between Iran and North Korea was ``significant and 
        meaningful'';
Whereas the United States and South Korea share a commitment to democracy, human 
        rights, and free market principles, as laid out in the 2009 U.S.-ROK 
        Joint Vision Statement as the foundation for a 21st century ``strategic 
        alliance'' based on shared values;
Whereas the Republic of Korea actively contributes to peacekeeping, 
        cybersecurity, non-proliferation, overseas development assistance, 
        climate change mitigation, counterterrorism, and post-conflict 
        stabilization;
Whereas the Republic of Korea suffered economic retaliation from China for 
        installing the United States Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) 
        ballistic missile defense system, a measure necessitated by North 
        Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile belligerence;
Whereas Korea is the world's eleventh-largest economy and the sixth-largest 
        goods trading partner of the United States, and creates bilateral trade 
        and investment which supports 400,000 American jobs;
Whereas the United States is the largest foreign direct investor in the Republic 
        of Korea, and Korean investment in the United States is increasing;
Whereas the Republic of Korea evolved from authoritarian governance to a 
        vibrant, model democracy that embraces human rights and the rule of law 
        in a region increasingly challenged by authoritarianism, which stands in 
        stark contrast to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which 
        commits human rights violations ``that do not have any parallel in the 
        contemporary world'' according to a 2014 United Nations report;
Whereas the Republic of Korea has become a key stakeholder and an active and 
        constructive participant in various international organizations, 
        including the United Nations, G-20, Organization for Economic 
        Cooperation and Development, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, 
        Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, International 
        Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization;
Whereas Korean American Day commemorates the first arrival of Koreans to the 
        United States in 1903 and honors the great contributions of Korean 
        Americans across all aspects of society, which will only continue to 
        grow as this population now numbers nearly two million citizens and as 
        Korean students constitute the third-largest source of foreign students 
        in the United States; and
Whereas the Korean-American community remains one of the most important bridges 
        between the Republic of Korea and the United States and has helped 
        foster deeper ties between the two nations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the United States-Republic of Korea alliance 
        serves as a linchpin of regional stability and bilateral security, and 
        exemplifies the broad and deep military, diplomatic, economic, and 
        cultural ties shared between the United States and the Republic of 
        Korea;
            (2) reiterates that the Republic of Korea and the United States 
        share an interest in the continued strength of the bilateral alliance, 
        and in further deepening the bilateral relationship;
            (3) emphasizes that the United States-Republic of Korea alliance 
        remains not only a bulwark for peace and stability in Northeast Asia, 
        but also an exemplar of democratic values, free market principles, 
        commitment to universal human rights, and the rule of law throughout the 
        Indo-Pacific and globally;
            (4) reaffirms the need for the United States and the Republic of 
        Korea to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in continuing to apply the economic 
        and financial pressure necessary to help peacefully end the Democratic 
        People's Republic of Korea's dangerous nuclear and missile programs; and
            (5) emphasizes that, regardless of the outcome of attempted 
        negotiations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United 
        States-Republic of Korea alliance will continue to deter, defend 
        against, and defeat any outside aggressors, uphold the peace, and guard 
        the prosperity built by our two nations.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.