[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 707 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 707

Recognizing the growth and transformation of the Republic of Korea and 
     its significant contributions to the international community.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 19, 2018

Mr. Schneider submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the growth and transformation of the Republic of Korea and 
     its significant contributions to the international community.

Whereas in 1995, after more than 40 years the Republic of Korea (South Korea) 
        successfully ended its reliance on international assistance and in 2000 
        was removed from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and 
        Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee recipient list;
Whereas after the Korean War, South Korea was the recipient of and relied on 
        official development assistance;
Whereas over time South Korea's economy grew and transformed, attracted foreign 
        investment, and promoted infrastructure and industrial development;
Whereas South Korea is now the world's 15th largest economy, the world's 6th 
        largest exporter, and the United States 6th largest trading partner;
Whereas the strong United States-South Korea alliance is based on shared values, 
        including democracy and human rights, economic prosperity, and mutual 
        strategic interests;
Whereas the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty remains a steadfast pillar of the United 
        States-South Korea alliance;
Whereas South Korea's remarkable democratic transition has resulted in 7 
        Presidential elections and 6 peaceful transitions of power since the new 
        constitution was adopted in 1987;
Whereas in 1987, South Korea established the Korea Economic Development 
        Cooperation Fund to support economic development in developing countries 
        through the provision of loan programs;
Whereas in 1991, South Korea established the Korea International Cooperation 
        Agency (KOICA) to administer foreign assistance, with a focus on 
        addressing poverty and sustainable socioeconomic growth throughout the 
        world;
Whereas in 1997, the International Vaccine Institute was established in Seoul as 
        an autonomous international organization under the Vienna Convention to 
        develop and deliver vaccines around the globe;
Whereas in 2009, South Korea formally created the World Friends Korea program, 
        which sends volunteers across the globe to assist developing countries, 
        connect different cultures, and increase international cooperation and 
        understanding;
Whereas in 2010, Korea joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee to 
        further its support for the international community and developing 
        nations;
Whereas in 2011, South Korea co-chaired the Group of Twenty (G20) Development 
        Working Group and facilitated implementation of the G20 Development 
        Agenda;
Whereas in 2015, South Korea joined the International Aid Transparency 
        Initiative to increase the effectiveness of its development assistance 
        programs;
Whereas in 2017, South Korea established the Global Disease Eradication Fund to 
        assist in the prevention and eradication of diseases in developing 
        countries;
Whereas in 2012, Incheon City was selected to host the Green Climate Fund (GCF), 
        a global fund to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas 
        emissions and combat climate change, and in 2013 its permanent 
        headquarters was established in Songdo;
Whereas South Korea has pledged $100 million to the GCF;
Whereas in 2016, South Korea became a signatory to the Paris Agreement to 
        fortify the international community's efforts to combat climate change;
Whereas South Korea's Nationally Determined Contribution per the Paris Agreement 
        is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent from the 
        ``business-as-usual'' level by 2030;
Whereas in 1988, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 
        Seoul;
Whereas in 2010, South Korea hosted the G20 Seoul Summit, leading to the 
        adoption of the Seoul Action Plan to create stable economies and foster 
        global economic growth;
Whereas in 2011, South Korea hosted the OECD's Fourth High Level Forum on Aid 
        Effectiveness (HLF-4), where participants discussed improving the 
        effectiveness of foreign assistance and signed the Busan Partnership for 
        Effective Development Co-operation;
Whereas in 2015, South Korea hosted the OECD Committee for Scientific and 
        Technological Policy Ministerial-level meeting in Daejeon to discuss the 
        future of science and innovation;
Whereas in 2016, South Korea hosted the 10th Seoul Official Development 
        Assistance International Conference to discuss development assistance 
        programs and future areas to explore; and
Whereas in 2018, South Korea will host both the Winter Olympic and Paralympic 
        Games in Pyeongchang: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the steadfast alliance between the United 
        States and Republic of Korea (South Korea);
            (2) applauds South Korea and its people for its significant 
        contributions to the international community;
            (3) encourages South Korea to continue its foreign 
        assistance programs and improving the lives of individuals 
        throughout the world; and
            (4) provides its best wishes and support for a successful 
        Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang in 2018.
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