[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2259-E2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     U.S. POLICY TOWARD NORTH KOREA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 3, 1999

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express concern over 
some of the findings of the Republican task force formed to examine 
U.S. policy toward North Korea.
  Most troubling to me is its assertion that there have been 
significant diversions of food aid we have donated in response to that 
country's famine. All evidence suggests that this is just not true. 
Moreover, it is clear--to me, to our military stationed in South Korea, 
to policymakers in Washington, Seoul and Toyko, and to attentive 
observers--that U.S. food aid to North Koreans is thawing 50 years of 
icy hostility toward Americans. Our wheat and corn, and our aid 
workers, are putting the lie to decades of Pyongyang's propaganda about 
American intentions. We are proving by our presence to all who see us 
and our sacks of food that Americans are compassionate people who will 
not stand by while innocent Koreans starve and suffer.
  As you know, I have visited North Korea five times--not out of any 
particular interest in the country, but because their people are 
suffering. It is a famine that, I believe, history will mark as one of 
this decade's worst.
  In my trips, I always have brought my own translator as well as a 
member of our armed forces. Other members of my delegations have 
included a Marine who served in the Korean War--Congressional medal of 
honor winner General Ray Davis; a doctor from the Centers for Disease 
Control; reporters from USA Today and the Washington Post; an 
agriculture expert; and a Korean-American economist who specializes in 
humanitarian aid.
  During every trip, I have met with Western aid workers working in 
North Korea. In all, I have spoken with scores of them over the past 
three years. These are people with expertise on hunger and the diseases 
that prey on hungry people--and with experience working in challenging 
situations. None of them has any cause to lie to me, and every reason 
to raise concerns that I can use to press North Korea officials on. And 
yet, in five visits I have not found a single aid worker who said food 
aid is being diverted from hungry people.
  The General Accounting Office report turns up no such diversion 
either; nor does any other U.S. Government agency. Even counting an 
incident in early 1998, where food sent to a county that later was 
closed to monitors, the record in North Korea is well within the two 
percent average loss rate that the United Nations World Food Programme 
maintains in its operations worldwide. Compared to other difficult 
situations--such as in Haiti, where more than 10 percent of food was 
lost in the last reporting period, or Honduras, where the rate was 6 
percent--the 1.7 percent loss rate in North Korea is not bad. That 
incident should not be dismissed, because it was serious enough to 
provoke WFP to increase restrictions on its aid. But it should be kept 
in perspective.
  It is not only my own experience, and the experiences of 
knowledgeable aid workers, that refute the allegation that there have 
been serious diversions of food. Common sense dictates that such a 
conclusion is off-base, because North Korea has its own harvest and the 
considerable gifts it receives from China to draw upon to feed its 
soldiers and government officials. There simply is no reason for North 
Korea to raid international aid shipments--and every incentive to see 
that this food reaches those in need.
  Mr. Speaker, I don't doubt the conviction of Members of this task 
force. Since the United States first began to engage North Korea five 
years ago, there have been doubts by some in Congress about the wisdom 
of this initiative. But there is equal conviction by others in Congress 
and the Administration that engaging North Korea, an approach begun 
under President Reagan, is the wisest course available to us.
  There is also broad support for it among U.S. military leaders, and 
our South Korean and Japanese allies. And there is support among Korean 
Americans; I am submitting for inclusion in the Record the statement of 
a group of notable Korean American citizens and organizations whose 
views have helped to inform our policy and should be respected as we 
continue to refine it.
  The task force's findings on North Korea's involvement in narcotics 
trafficking, missile proliferation, possible nuclear development in 
violation of the Agreed Framework, and other activities are serious and 
deserve our attention. It is tempting to instead focus our attention on 
concerns about food aid, because that is easier to do something about. 
But cutting off food aid--whether we do it outright, or by tightening 
the monitoring requirements so much that the effect is to cut off food 
aid--would not solve these other problems. All it would do is prevent 
us from saving millions of lives, and prove to North Korea's people 
that its government was right about America all along.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe the task force's quarrel over U.S. 
policy toward North Korea does not center on our efforts to feed its 
suffering people. At a hearing last week. Chairman Gilman said, ``no 
one--I repeat no one--wants to cut off food aid to North Korea.'' I 
share his concerns that our food aid be monitored to ensure it reaches 
those in need, and his read of public support for a humanitarian policy 
that refuses to use food as a weapon--even against North Koreans.
  Mr. Speaker, I can't tell you and others who would like to see it 
that, after this crisis passes, North Korea's people will overthrow 
their government. History shows that people who survive a famine 
sometimes do that, and sometimes do not. But I can guarantee you that 
Koreans--in North Korea, in South Korea, and in our own country--will 
remember how we respond in this time of crisis. They will remember who 
helped those who were suffering; and they will never forget those who 
found excuses to do too little to save the many who died.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to focus on the serious 
concerns about North Korea that this task force has highlighted; but to 
remember as we debate our policy toward North Korea, that--in the words 
of President Reagan--``a hungry child knows no politics.''
  Our food aid is making the difference between life and death for 
hundreds of thousands of children and other vulnerable people in North 
Korea. The private organization's aid workers, and the staff and 
leaders of the World Food Programme and other U.N. agencies, are doing 
everything they can to ensure that our food gets to those in need. We 
should support their work, and seize the historic opportunity that our 
humanitarian aid has put within our reach: to end the Cold War in this 
last, desperate outpost, and to secure a lasting peace on the Korean 
Peninsula.

      Korean Americans Weigh in on U.S. Policy Toward North Korea

       Washington.--Korean Americans are important stakeholders in 
     U.S. policy toward North Korea because many in our community 
     still have families, relatives, friends and other interests 
     in the Korean peninsula.
       We believe that our voices must be considered in the 
     formulating policy toward North Korea, and set forth 
     positions that we believe must be an integral part of the 
     U.S. policy.


 U.S. Policy Must Further the Prospect of Lasting Peace While Avoiding 
                   the Possibility of Armed Conflict

       Korean Americans recognize and appreciate the long history 
     of leadership demonstrated by the United States in tackling 
     difficult foreign policy issues with firm commitment to 
     peace. We first and foremost believe that any U.S. policy on 
     North Korea must be formulated so as to encourage peace and 
     reduce the chance of armed conflicts on the Korean peninsula. 
     Koreans have already experienced decades of devastating 
     losses as a result of military actions on the peninsula. We 
     therefore cannot stand any stronger in opposition to the 
     consideration of military action, no matter how limited in 
     scope, as one of the viable U.S. policy options.


 U.S. Policy Should Support Monitored Humanitarian Aid to North Korea 
                 for Distribution to the Famine Victims

       As we all know, monitoring the distribution of food and 
     medical aid in North Korea is less than satisfactory, due to 
     the unwillingness of North Korean authority to let monitors 
     travel freely. The lack of freedom of travel there, however, 
     is not limited to the monitors but to all people in the 
     country. While it is practically impossible to prove that 
     food aid are not diverted, most documents by U.N. 
     organization and PVOs which provide humanitarian aid report 
     that

[[Page E2260]]

     there is not much evidence that they are diverted. In this 
     regard, we are concerned that the recent report by GAO 
     exaggerates the diversion and their conclusion was based on 
     flimsy and narrowly selected suveys and reports. No policy 
     should be built on a study that is not comprehensive.


 U.S. Policy on North Korea Should Reflect the Recommendations by Dr. 
                             William Perry

       Korean Americans believe that Dr. Perry's policy review and 
     evaluation process was comprehensive, produced many 
     beneficial results and his recommendation is fair and well 
     balanced. Throughout the review, Dr. Perry consulted with 
     experts, both in and out of the U.S. Government. He also 
     exchanged views with officials from many countries with 
     interest on the issues. As a result, the review process 
     itself pushed the issues of North Korea as one of the high 
     priority policy agenda of the U.S. and North East Asia. It 
     also developed a close work relationship between the U.S. and 
     key interested parties, particulary our important allies, 
     South Korea and Japan.
       Korean Americans believe that Dr. Perry's recommended 
     alternative is a comprehensive and integrated approach to 
     U.S. negotiation with the North Korea. We also believe that 
     his recommendation provides the best choice for the U.S. 
     Government and is consistent with the policies of other 
     interested countries, including South Korea. We therefore 
     recommend his recommendation for the United States to move 
     step-by-step on a path to a comprehensive normalization of 
     relations, including the establishment of a permanent peace 
     in the Korean Peninsula, be given serious consideration.
       ``Korean American Voice on North Korea Policy'' is a 
     coalition formed by concerned Korean American individuals and 
     organizations throughout the United States. Its members are 
     listed on the attached page.


            Members of KAV (in alphabetical order, 10/26/99)

       Mrs. Joyce Naomi Ahn; Chairman, Korean Americans for Global 
     Action.
       Ms. Mimi Hong Allen; President, Korean Cultural Foundation 
     of Greater Miami.
       Ms. Jenniffer Arndt; President, Rainbow World Inc.
       Mr. Young-Soo Bahk; Board of Directors, The Peace Corn 
     Foundation.
       Mr. Young D. Cha, President, League of Korean Americans.
       Mr. Young Chang Chae, Vice President, Korean Literary 
     Association of Washington Metropolitan Area.
       Dr. Keum Seop Chin, Board Director, Korean American Sharing 
     Movement-Washington Baltimore; Elder, The Korean Central 
     Presbyterian Church.
       Mr. Byung II Cho, President, The Federation of Korean Dry-
     Cleaners Associations, USA.
       Dr. Man Cho, Director, Korean American Sharing Movement-
     Washington Baltimore.
       Master Soo Se Cho, President, Korean American Association 
     of S. Florida.
       Rev. Young Jin Cho, Senior Pastor, Korean United Methodist 
     Church of Greater Washington.
       Dr. Scott Cha-Choe, Chairman, Honolulu Korean Junior 
     Chamber.
       Mr. Daniel Choi, Senior Vice President, The Federation of 
     Korean Associations, USA.
       Dr. Seung Hoon Choi; Executive Director, Korean American 
     Sharing Movement-Boston.
       Dr. Dong Yui Chough; Chairman, Korean American Education 
     Foundation.
       Rev. Simon Kang H. Chung; Pastor, The Korean Central 
     Presbyterian Church.
       Mr. Myong Y. Jueh, Chairman, Korean American Political 
     Action Committee.
       Mr. Abraham Kang, Chairman, Korean American Automobile 
     Association.
       Dr. Jun Hee Kang, MD, Korean Central Presbyterian Church.
       Rev. Paul (Synn Kwon) Kang; President, Cohen University, 
     CA.
       Ms. Grace Kim; Executive Secretary, Korean Americans for 
     Global Action New York, NY.
       Mr. Hong Kim; Vice President, League of Korean Americans, 
     USA.
       Mr. Pyohng Choon Kim; Chief Financial Officer, Central 
     Missionary Fellowship, International; Elder, The Korean 
     Central Presbyterian Church.
       Wayne Kim; Elder, Korean Central Presbyterian Church.
       Mr. Jong Yui Lee; President, Korean Association of Northern 
     Virginia.
       Rev. Oh Yeon Lee; Executive Director, Korean American 
     Sharing Movement--Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
       Mr. Sang Hoon Lee; Chairman-elect, Korean American Sharing 
     Movement--USA; Chairman, KASM: Washington-Baltimore.
       Mrs. Sook Won Lee; President, Korean American Association 
     of State of Maryland.
       Dr. Stephen H. Lee; President, The Society for Korean Root.
       Rev. Won Sang Lee; Senior Pastor, The Korean Central 
     Presbyterian Church.
       Mr. John Lim, Senator, State of Oregon.
       Mrs. Kim Miller, President, League of Korean Americans, 
     USA.
       Mr. Myung Kun Moon, President, Miami Korean Chamber of 
     Commerce.
       Rev. Do Hyun Paik, President, Korean Pastors Association of 
     South Florida.
       Rev. Hee Min Park, Chairman, Korean American Sharing 
     Movement, USA, Los Angeles, CA.
       Dr. Jong Ahn Park; Senior Director for Policy and Planning, 
     Korean American Sharing Movement--USA.
       Mr. Sang Kuen Park; Attorney at Law, Advocates for the 
     Rights of Korean Americans.
       Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, Executive Director, Office of the 
     Forecasting Council, State of Washington.
       Rev. Kyung Sup Shin; President, WDCT Radio, Virginia.
       Mr. Pauil Shin; Senator, State of Washington.
       Mr. Peter Hyun Shin, Chairman, League of Korean Americans, 
     USA.
       Rev. Sung John Shin; Chairman, Korean American Sharing 
     Movement--Los Angeles.
       Mr. Jie Kyung Song, President, Korean American Association 
     of Washington Metropolitan Area.
       Mr. Shin Hern Song, Vice Chairman, Korean American 
     Education Foundation.
       Mr. Sang Y. Whang, Chairman, Korean American Community 
     Relations Council.
       Ms. Ilyon Woo; Korean Americans for Global Action, New 
     York, NY.
       Mr. Ki Ho Yi; President, Royal Food Inc.
       Mr. Hee Soon Yim; Hana News; Mr. Howard Pokhyong Yu; 
     President, Yu Farm, Earlimart, California.

     

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