[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 223 Introduced in House (IH)]
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115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 223
Calling on the People's Republic of China (PRC) to cease its
retaliatory measures against the Republic of Korea in response to the
deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 23, 2017
Mr. Yoho (for himself, Mr. Marino, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Connolly, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, and Mr. Bera) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and
in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Calling on the People's Republic of China (PRC) to cease its
retaliatory measures against the Republic of Korea in response to the
deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), and for other purposes.
Whereas the United States-Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance constitutes a
lynchpin of United States foreign policy in maintaining peace and
security on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and beyond;
Whereas the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North
Korea, has continued engaging in destabilizing provocations by
developing and testing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in
clear violation of six United Nations Security Council Resolutions;
Whereas, on March 5, 2017, North Korea launched four ballistic missiles from
Tongchang-ri, in northwest North Korea that flew an average of 620 miles
before falling into the sea between North Korea and Japan, following the
launch on February 11, 2017;
Whereas the 15-member United Nations Security Council issued a statement
condemning the March 5 missile launches as being ``in grave violation of
North Korea's international obligations'' under six relevant Security
Council resolutions;
Whereas the Republic of Korea and the United States made an alliance decision to
deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to U.S.
Forces Korea (USFK) as a self-defensive measure to ensure the security
of the ROK and its people, and to protect Alliance military forces from
North Korea's growing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile
threats;
Whereas, on March 6, 2017, the first components of the THAAD anti-missile
system, including two launchers, arrived at Osan Air Base in the
Republic of Korea;
Whereas the Republic of Korea and the United States reiterated on numerous
occasions that the THAAD system would be deployed solely for the purpose
of defending against North Korean nuclear and missile threats and would
not be directed towards any third-party nations;
Whereas U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) stated that ``North Korea's accelerating
program of nuclear weapons tests and ballistic missile launches
constitute a threat to international peace and security,'' and that the
THAAD battery is a ``strictly defensive capability'' and ``poses no
threat to other countries in the region'';
Whereas Hwang Kyo-Ahn, the Acting President of the Republic of Korea reiterated
the need for early deployment of THAAD and further stated that the
Government of the Republic of Korea would look aggressively for ``ways
to effectively strengthen the United States extended deterrence'' in
South Korea;
Whereas a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Geng Shuang,
denounced the alliance's decision to deploy the THAAD system and vowed
that Beijing would ``take the necessary steps to safeguard our own
security interests'' further warning that the two countries should not
``go further and further down the wrong road'';
Whereas China has engaged in unreasonable and inappropriate retaliatory measures
against the Republic of Korea, its businesses and its people in an
attempt to halt the deployment of THAAD;
Whereas no less than fifty-five Lotte supermarkets across China had been shut
down and the Korean businesses located across China have been the target
of various inspections by the Chinese authorities following the Lotte
Group's swap of a golf course in Seongju for the THAAD battery site;
Whereas an American company partnering with Lotte has also been directly
affected by these measures;
Whereas travel industry sources in China said they were instructed by the
Chinese authorities not to sell any tour packages to South Korea, both
group and individual, effective March 15, 2017;
Whereas Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated on March 17, 2017, that this
``is not the way for a regional power to help resolve what is a serious
threat to everyone,'' and that ``we urge China to address the threat
that makes it necessary, that being the escalating threat from North
Korea'';
Whereas China cancelled numerous cultural shows and music performances agreed to
and under contract with agencies and companies from the Republic of
Korea;
Whereas China's retaliatory measures against South Korea potentially constitutes
a violation of its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations; and
Whereas China's retaliatory measures against South Korea in an attempt to block
the implementation of THAAD is unacceptable: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns North Korea's recent ballistic missile tests
and its announcement of being ``in the final stages'' of a
potential Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test;
(2) urges the United States Government to take all
necessary measures to protect its citizens and allies in the
region and closely cooperate with the international community
to eliminate North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile
programs.
(3) supports the prompt deployment of the THAAD system to
counter the North Korean threat and welcomes the arrival of its
first elements into USFK in the Republic of Korea;
(4) commends the Government of the Republic of Korea for
its firm commitment and timely cooperation to ensure the
effective deployment of THAAD;
(5) condemns China's retaliatory measures against the
Republic of Korea, its businesses and its people in response to
the deployment of the THAAD to protect against North Korea;
(6) urges the Chinese government to immediately cease its
diplomatic intimidation and economic coercion against the
Republic of Korea in an attempt to block the THAAD deployment;
and
(7) calls on the Chinese government to exercise its
considerable influence to pressure North Korea to give up its
nuclear and ballistic missile programs instead of undermining
South Korea's sovereign right to defend itself against the
North Korean threat.
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