[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 108 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5845-H5847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONCERNING THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF 
                    KOREA AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 74) concerning the situation 
between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of 
Korea, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 74

       Whereas the Korean demilitarized zone remains extremely 
     tense 44 years after the ending of the Korean War, as 
     evidenced most recently by a mortar attack and exchange of 
     gunfire on July 17, 1997;
       Whereas with more than 1,000,000 soldiers in the Democratic 
     People's Republic of Korea and 600,000 soldiers in the 
     Republic of Korea, both militaries are on a constant high 
     alert;
       Whereas the threat of North-South military confrontation 
     between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the 
     Republic of Korea is of grave concern to the United States;
       Whereas 37,000 United States troops are stationed on the 
     Korean Peninsula;
       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have 
     long had a close relationship based on mutual respect, shared 
     security goals, and shared interests;
       Whereas as a result of an invitation extended last year by 
     President Clinton and Republic of Korea President Kim Young 
     Sam, four-party preparatory talks involving the United 
     States, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's 
     Republic of Korea, and the People's Republic of China are 
     likely to begin in August 1997 to determine timing, venue, 
     level of representation, and broad agenda categories for 
     forthcoming talks;

[[Page H5846]]

       Whereas the participation of China is integral to the 
     success of any agreement; and
       Whereas it will be impossible to resolve the conflict on 
     the Korean Peninsula and fashion a lasting solution unless 
     the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of 
     Korea engage in direct dialogue, without depending on other 
     parties to act as intermediaries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) supports United States troops who have faithfully 
     served the interests of the United States by ensuring 
     stability on the Korean Peninsula;
       (2) supports our Republic of Korea allies who have made 
     good faith efforts to resolve this conflict; and
       (3) supports four-way talks between the United States, 
     China, the Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People's 
     Republic of Korea to peacefully and permanently resolve the 
     conflict between the two Koreas.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Kim] and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim].
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. KIM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)


                             General Leave

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, the Korean peninsula remains one of the world's 
most heavily militarized regions, a hot spot of potential confrontation 
that has endured for more than 40 years. The mortar attacks and 
exchange of gunfire between the North and South Korean forces that 
occurred on July 17, 1997, highlight the extremely tense situation that 
exists every day along the so-called Demilitarized Zone.
  As demonstrated by the presence of 37,000 American troops on the 
Korean peninsula, the United States is formally committed to 
maintaining stability and security in the region. Our strong support 
for the four-party talks is a further proof that the United States 
Government wants to see improved relations between North and South 
Korea, which will hopefully bring a final and lasting peace to the 
peninsula.
  The distinguished gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] has 
introduced a timely and well-fashioned concurrent resolution that 
reemphasizes the support of the Congress for our brave service men and 
women stationed in the peninsula and for continued diplomatic efforts 
to bring the two parties together to resolve the conflict. House 
Concurrent Resolution 74 also, quite properly, recognizes our South 
Korean allies for their good-faith efforts at achieving peace.
  I fully support the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 74 and 
commend the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] for his leadership in 
authorizing this resolution.
  I thank the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter], the chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, for his prompt consideration 
of this measure in his subcommittee, and the ranking Democrat on the 
full committee, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], and on the 
subcommittee, the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman], for their 
cooperation in advancing it to this point.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in support of the resolution.
  First I want to express my appreciation to the gentleman from Florida 
who I think was the original cosponsor or the original sponsor of this 
resolution, along with the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter]. The 
Korean peninsula, I think, is the most dangerous place in the world 
today. Yet American troops working in close partnership with our South 
Korean friends and allies have helped maintain the peace there for over 
44 years. So all of us owe a debt of gratitude to those who gave their 
lives during the Korean war and to those who stand guard today along 
the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea.
  This resolution gives voice to our gratitude, expresses our strong 
backing for both American troops in Korea and our stalwart South Korean 
allies. The resolution also supports the four-way talks between the 
United States, China, the Republic of Korea, and the democratic 
People's Republic of Korea to peacefully and permanently resolve the 
conflict between the two Koreas. I think this legislation deserves our 
support. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
Hastings], the chief sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
ranking member for yielding me this time.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim], the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter], my friend and colleague, and 
the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman] as well for their 
expeditious handling of this matter in the Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific.
  I especially point to the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim], my 
good friend, for this resolution was conceived by me when the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Kim] and myself and other Members of the House, 
along with the Speaker of the House, visited South Korea. It was a 
moving experience to go there and to go there with the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Kim], who obviously understands and understood the 
dynamics in that area better than any of us could.
  It really is just a sense of the Congress expressing our support for 
and encouragement of four-party talks between the United States, South 
Korea, North Korea, and China. Since the Korean peninsula was divided 
at the end of World War II, between the North and South, repeated 
attempts at reunification have failed. The 1950 through 1953 Korean war 
ended in an armistice agreement which altered hostilities but left the 
two sides technically at war, divided by a heavily fortified 
demilitarized zone that the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] and 
myself and others had an opportunity to visit recently.
  Since 1970 there have been several attempts to replace the 1953 
armistice agreement with a peace deal that could lead to a unified 
Korean peninsula. But as you know, Mr. Speaker, these attempts have 
been fragile if not precarious, yet at times the dialogue between North 
and South Korea has produced cooperation in various forms such as 
cultural exchanges, a unified sports team, reunions of separated 
families and limited trade.
  With this resolution, it is our hope that the nothing ventured 
nothing gained outlook prevails at the four-party talks initiated by 
the United States and our stalwart ally, South Korea. Without the 
participation of each and every one of the invited parties, these talks 
will become moot. This resolution loudly and clearly states that the 
U.S. Congress strongly encourages all parties to come to the table and 
stay there until a formal peace treaty is developed.
  For its part, North Korea is already plagued by food shortages and 
economic mismanagement. Most nations avoid the North because its 
leaders can be and at most times are unreliable. It has no legal 
system. Its roads and railways are crumbling. Its work force is 
starving and its huge military is a constant threat to peace and 
stability in that region.
  By encouraging these four-party talks, our goal is to alleviate the 
immense threat that a dangerous, unstable region poses to our ally, 
South Korea. Yet we must do so in a manner which does not necessarily 
condemn North Korea. Rather, our solution must relieve the pain and 
suffering in the region by replacing it with peace and security.
  Forty-four years after the ending of the Korean war, the border 
between the two countries remains extremely tense. The border remains 
extremely tense as evidenced by the recent mortar attack and gunfire 
exchange on July 17. Last August, when the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Kim] and others and I traveled to South Korea with Speaker 
Gingrich, we stood on that border and visited our troops stationed at 
the demilitarized zone.

[[Page H5847]]

  This amendment is also about American soldiers and South Korean 
soldiers. It is an expression of support for the men and women 
stationed over there with the hope that these four-party talks will 
lead to a unified Korea, eliminating the need for their deployment.
  Reunification is a goal claimed by both North and South Korea. Let us 
encourage this ambition by making reunification a sincere goal of our 
foreign policy. I urge all of our colleagues to support this 
resolution. I thank the gentleman, once again, for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Guam [Mr. Underwood].
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking member 
for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in strong support of the 
resolution introduced by our colleague from Florida [Mr. Hastings], 
which supports our U.S. troops who faithfully served the interests of 
the United States by ensuring stability on the Korean peninsula and the 
four-way talks between the United States, China, South Korea and North 
Korea.
  Mr. Speaker, I represent a very unique American community. The 
American citizens of Guam live in the Asia-Pacific region, and Guam is 
the closest American community to the events occurring on the Korean 
peninsula and would be a crucial part of any effort to deal with any 
hostilities on the peninsula.
  Mr. Speaker, as part of my ongoing work in the Committee on National 
Security, I have traveled to Korea for on-site briefings and witnessed 
firsthand our challenge there. As America remains engaged in the effort 
to peacefully settle the conflict between North and South Korea, we 
must commend and vigorously support the recent efforts to begin the 
four-way talks. These talks will contribute to greater security in the 
Asia-Pacific region and are of tremendous importance to Guam and the 
rest of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, this House has taken many steps in directing United 
States policy in Korea. At a time of severe starvation and growing 
internal strife in North Korea, we must resolve to act on our 
commitments and demonstrate international leadership.
  Passage of this resolution will again reassure Koreans that we in the 
United States are working to establish a concrete and lasting peace on 
the Korean peninsula by living up to our responsibility as a signer of 
the armistice agreement. As we support the resolution, let us not 
forget the distinguished service of our men and women in uniform who 
have been the main force for peace in that part of the world.
  I urge this body to pass this very important resolution.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California [Mr. Royce], a member of the Subcommittee on 
Asia and the Pacific, my good friend.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Kim], for yielding to me this time. I want to 
commend the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] for offering this 
resolution.
  This resolution makes an important statement that the House of 
Representatives supports our troops on the Korean peninsula. We support 
our friends and allies in the Republic of Korea and we support the 
proposed North-South four-party talks that at long last seem to be 
moving forward.
  We are all hopeful that the recent agreement of the North Korean 
Government to sit down and agree to the final details of four-party 
talks will lead to substantive negotiations. Now more than ever, it is 
important to have such channels of communication open to discuss the 
future of North Korea, and future relations between the North and 
South. And I really want to take this opportunity to urge all of my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega].
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support House Concurrent 
Resolution 74, as introduced by my good friend and colleague, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings].
  Mr. Speaker, after that terrible conflict commonly known as the 
Korean war, for some 44 years now our Nation has had to maintain an 
effective presence in the demilitarized zone that is separating North 
Korea from South Korea. Even until now, Mr. Speaker, the crisis in the 
Korean Peninsula remains one of the most tense in the world. North 
Korea has an army of over 1 million soldiers, compared to South Korea's 
600,000 sailors and soldiers.
  Mr. Speaker, history has demonstrated several times that all the 
bullets, the guns, the cannons, and all other manner of military 
weapons are not worth a dime if the country cannot feed its soldiers. 
Recent reports indicate, Mr. Speaker, that there is currently a 
shortfall of approximately 2.3 million tons of grain in North Korea. 
What this simply means is that the North Korean people are starving and 
there is serious concern if the crisis has been alleviated or do we 
expect more problems in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is only proper that the People's Republic 
of China, our Nation, and the two Koreas should engage in meaningful 
dialog.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been to South Korea, and I was very impressed 
with its economic and political developments in recent years. With 
South Korea's development in technology and industrialization, and with 
the tremendous potential of resources available to North Korea, a 
unified Korea could really become a great nation to provide for the 
needs of some 60 million people living in both North and South Korea.
  I want to commend the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim], my good 
friend, for also being a part of the management of this legislation. I 
urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodlatte). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House 
Concurrent Resolution 74, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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