[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 24, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9835-S9838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 279--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
  125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1882 TREATY OF PEACE, AMITY, COMMERCE AND 
NAVIGATION BETWEEN THE KINGDOM AND CHOSUN (KOREA) AND THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Webb, and Mr. 
Isakson) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations:

[[Page S9838]]

                              S. Res. 279

       Whereas both the Republic of Korea and the United States 
     are fully democratic states with a common commitment to human 
     rights and the rule of law;
       Whereas 2007 marks the 125th anniversary of the Treaty of 
     Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation between the Kingdom of 
     Chosun (Korea) and the United States, concluded May 22, 1882, 
     which was a seminal moment in relations between the United 
     States and Korea;
       Whereas the treaty contemplates ``everlasting amity and 
     friendship between the two peoples'', a tradition that both 
     state signatories have worked to achieve during the past 125 
     years;
       Whereas 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into 
     force of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation, 
     with Protocol, signed at Seoul November 28, 1956 (8 UST 
     2217), between the United States and the Republic of Korea;
       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea share a 
     mutual interest in the peaceful denuclearization of the 
     Korean peninsula;
       Whereas nearly 40,000 citizens of the United States gave 
     their lives during the Korean War with the hope that the 
     Republic of Korea would remain free and independent;
       Whereas the Mutual Defense Treaty, signed at Washington 
     October 1, 1953 (5 UST 2368), between the United States and 
     the Republic of Korea, has led to more than 50 years of 
     effective deterrence against attack by the Democratic 
     People's Republic of Korea;
       Whereas 29,000 troops from the United States remain 
     stationed in the Republic of Korea as a tangible sign of the 
     commitment of the United States to the security of the 
     Republic of Korea;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is the fourth largest 
     contributor of troops to the peacekeeping effort in Iraq and 
     continues its tradition of supporting the United States in 
     key armed struggles;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is making a significant 
     military and financial contribution to building lasting 
     stability in Afghanistan;
       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea 
     continuously work to modernize their security relationship 
     through annual Security Consultative Meetings between their 
     defense ministers, the Strategic Consultation for Allied 
     Partnership Dialogue, and various lower-level forums;
       Whereas the economic partnership between the United States 
     and the Republic of Korea has contributed to significant 
     economic growth for both countries;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is the seventh largest 
     trading partner of the United States, and the United States 
     is the third largest trading partner of the Republic of 
     Korea;
       Whereas the Free Trade Agreement between the United States 
     of America and the Republic of Korea, done at Washington June 
     30, 2007, is the first free trade agreement between the 
     United States and a Northeast Asian nation, paving the way 
     for greater economic efficiency and consumer benefits in both 
     countries;
       Whereas nearly 2,000,000 Korean-Americans contribute to the 
     fabric of life in the United States and link the United 
     States to Korea on a personal basis;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea sends more international 
     students to the United States than any other country; and
       Whereas the strong relationship between the United States 
     and the Republic of Korea across many fronts has proven 
     beneficial for both countries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the strength and endurance of the alliance between the 
     United States and the Republic of Korea should be 
     acknowledged and celebrated;
       (2) the Free Trade Agreement between the United States of 
     America and the Republic of Korea, done at Washington June 
     30, 2007, highlights the vibrancy and diversity of the common 
     interests of the United States and the Republic of Korea and 
     should be fully implemented by both countries;
       (3) the United States should sustain substantive dialogue 
     with both the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's 
     Republic of Korea, with the expectation of the eventual 
     unification of the Korean peninsula, as it was at the signing 
     of the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation 
     between the Kingdom of Chosun (Korea) and the United States, 
     concluded May 22, 1882;
       (4) working with the Republic of Korea to foster greater 
     regional cooperation in East Asia should be a priority of the 
     United States, as such cooperation brings long and short term 
     benefits to all those involved; and
       (5) the United States and the Republic of Korea should 
     strive to develop further a more global perspective in their 
     partnership, with the goal of addressing international 
     priorities such as the fight against terrorism, the promotion 
     of human rights, the enhancement of democracy, and support 
     for peacekeeping.

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
commemorating the 125th anniversary of the 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, 
Commerce, and Navigation between the Kingdom of Chosun, Korea, and the 
United States Treaty provisions covered the appointment of diplomatic 
and consular representatives, care for U.S. ships in distress or 
needing fuel, and protection for American citizens. The treaty also 
allowed that Koreans could work in the United States.
  As President Reagan noted on the 100th anniversary of the treaty 
signing, ``This Treaty marked a chapter in the history of northeast 
Asia and was the auspicious beginning of an enduring partnership 
between the United States and Korea.''
  Initial efforts in 1880 by U.S. Commodore Robert W. Shufeldt to 
negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce with Korea were 
unsuccessful. However, in an interesting similarity to current events, 
Chinese officials assisted in this endeavor. Viceroy Li Hongzhang, a 
leading Chinese figure, invited Commodore Shufeldt to visit China so 
that discussions could be held regarding the U.S. efforts for a treaty 
with Korea. In May of 1882, in part due to Chinese assistance, 
agreement was reached. Commodore Shufeldt and Minister Sin Hon among 
others, participated in the treaty ceremony in Inchon. After it arrived 
in the United States, the treaty was ratified the following January.
  The Republic of Korea-United States partnership covers economic, 
educational, security, and other fronts. Nearly 40,000 American 
citizens gave their lives during the Korean War with the hope that the 
Republic of Korea would remain free and independent. The U.S. 
Department of Defense reports that over 8,000 American personnel remain 
missing from their service in that war, with nearly 200 of those from 
my home State of Indiana.
  Today, approximately 2 million Korean-Americans contribute to the 
fabric of life in the United States, and serve as an important link, on 
a personal basis, with the Republic of Korea. I am pleased to introduce 
this resolution with deep appreciation for this important bilateral 
relationship.

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