[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 123 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CELEBRATING UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA PARTNERSHIP AND THE STATE 
                    VISIT OF PRESIDENT KIM YONG-SAM

                                 ______


                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 27, 1995
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, the long United States partnership with 
the Republic of Korea spanning nearly five decades will be celebrated 
this week in two major events. The first is the visit of South Korea's 
democratically elected President, Kim Yong-sam, and his address today 
to a joint session of Congress. The second will be the dedication of 
the long-awaited Korean War Memorial. It is a great pleasure to have 
President Kim here with us, and a source of immense satisfaction that 
those who fought our most forgotten war are finally being appropriately 
remembered and honored. Meanwhile, South Korea has emerged as a robust 
industrial power and a fully functioning democracy, and a steadfast 
United States friend.


                  celebrating south korea's democracy

  How South Korea moved with United States encouragement into the 
family of democratic nations, and the pivotal role played by President 
Kim, deserves reiteration.
  In 1987, South Korea began a transition to democracy after 26 years 
of military-dominated governments. A new constitution was adopted, and 
free elections for President and a National Assembly subsequently were 
held.
  President Kim Yong-sam had fought for a democratic South Korea since 
the 1960's. He had endured constant harassments and periods of 
confinement from the military-dominated regimes. Elected President in 
December 1992, Kim Yong-sam is the first South Korean leader since 1961 
from a purely civilian background.


       strength of United States-Republic of Korea Security Ties

  United States-Republic of Korea security relations were forged in 
blood during the Korean war and formally established in 1953. The 
dedication of the Korean war memorial during President Kim's visit to 
Washington symbolizes the long, intimate United States-Republic of 
Korea security relationship, including participation in the Korean and 
Vietnam wars.
  The United States stations 37,000 troops in South Korea as the 
embodiment of its defense commitment to South Korea. These and other 
United States forces stationed in the western Pacific area are an 
essential element in maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region 
and in ensuring that North Korea will never dare to attack the South.


                      threat posed by north korea

  At present, our security relationship faces its strongest test in 
dealing with the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. South Korea has 
supported the United States-North Korean
 agreed framework despite the mixed impact the agreed framework has on 
North Korea-South Korea relations and the security situation on the 
Korean peninsula. This commitment includes up to $3 billion to finance 
the light-water reactor project.

  Analysts contend that North Korea views the agreed framework as a 
window of opportunity to isolate South Korea diplomatically, divide 
South Korea and the United States, and draw the United States into a 
bilateral peace agreement. I am committed to seeing that this does not 
happen. This issue has been addressed in House Joint Resolution 83, the 
first legislation reported out by the Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific since I became chairman in January. The resolution has been 
reported out favorably by the full House International Relations 
Committee.
  I am confident that this statement of congressional policy can 
materially assist the administration in removing any illusions that 
North Korea might entertain about American determination to demand full 
adherence to the essential provisions of the accord--if they properly 
use this expression of congressional views.


               united states-south korean trade relations

  South Korea has grown during the past decade as a market for United 
States exports. In recent years trade has become increasingly more 
balanced. Between 1985 and the end of 1994 United States exports 
tripled to $18 billion, while our imports of South Korean goods 
doubled. The United States had a relatively small $2 billion trade 
deficit with South Korea in 1994 on total trade of $38 billion. Thus 
far during 1995 the United States enjoys a surplus.
  South Korea has taken steps to remove many barriers to imports and 
otherwise to improve the environment for foreign trade and investment. 
During the past 5 years the Republic of Korea Government has 
significantly lowered import tariffs and has liberalized its import 
licensing regime to permit a greater range of products to enter the 
country unimpeded.
  South Korea also has been one of the most important countries 
supporting the 18-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] 
organization.
  Problems remain in United States-South Korean economic relations, for 
instance in discriminatory treatment of automobile imports, and in the 
use of standards, certification, and testing requirements to 
discriminate against foreign goods, especially agricultural products.
  Mr. Speaker, I remain persuaded that these and other problems can be 
resolved and that both our political, security, and economic ties will 
continue to grow and flourish. It is a privilege to play a role in 
welcoming President Kim Yong-sam to Washington.


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