[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8443-S8444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING THE ATTACK BY THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA 
                     AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 693, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 693) condemning the attack by the 
     Democratic People's Republic of Korea against the Republic of 
     Korea, and affirming support for the United States-Republic 
     of Korea Alliance.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent to have my name added as a 
cosponsor of that measure.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements 
relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 693) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 693

       Whereas Yeonpyeong Island is located in the Yellow Sea 
     (West Sea) about 50 miles west of the city of Incheon and is 
     inhabited by more than 1,000 citizens and military personnel 
     from the Republic of Korea;
       Whereas the United Nations Command established the Northern 
     Limit Line in 1953, marking the line of military control 
     between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the 
     Republic of Korea;
       Whereas, on November 23, 2010, the Republic of Korea 
     military conducted military exercises in the Yellow Sea (West 
     Sea) on the southern side of the Northern Limit Line;
       Whereas, on that day, North Korea military forces fired 
     approximately 170 artillery shells at Yeonpyeong Island, 
     resulting in military and civilian casualties, including the 
     death of 2 marines and 2 civilians from the Republic of 
     Korea;
       Whereas North Korea's shelling caused widespread damage to 
     military installations and civilian property;
       Whereas North Korea's attack against South Korea infringes 
     upon the commitments made in the Korean War Armistice 
     Agreement of 1953 that oblige military commanders to ``order 
     and enforce a complete cessation of all hostilities in Korea 
     by all armed forces under their control'';

[[Page S8444]]

       Whereas this attack also violates United Nations Security 
     Council Resolution 1695 (2006), which emphasizes the need for 
     North Korea ``to show restraint and refrain from any action 
     that might aggravate tension, and to continue to work on the 
     resolution of non-proliferation concerns through political 
     and diplomatic efforts'';
       Whereas this brazen attack is one in a series of actions by 
     the Government of North Korea that undermine regional peace 
     and security, especially on the Korean peninsula;
       Whereas this attack follows the March 26, 2010, torpedo 
     attack by the Government of North Korea against the Republic 
     of Korea ship CHEONAN, which resulted in the death of 46 
     sailors from the Republic of Korea Navy;
       Whereas this attack also follows the revelation that the 
     Government of North Korea has constructed a uranium 
     enrichment facility at the Yongbyon nuclear site in clear 
     violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 
     (2006) and 1874 (2009);
       Whereas this attack and the trend of continued provocation 
     by the Government of North Korea reinforces the importance of 
     the alliance between the United States and the Republic of 
     Korea and the need for the United States to maintain a strong 
     military presence in East Asia; and
       Whereas this attack also signifies the importance of 
     maintaining a strong bilateral economic, security, and 
     cultural relationship with the Republic of Korea: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns the attack by the Government of North Korea 
     against the Republic of Korea in violation of the 1953 Korean 
     War Armistice Agreement;
       (2) expresses its deep condolences to the government and 
     people of the Republic of Korea, especially the families on 
     Yeonpyeong Island who suffered from this attack and lost 
     their loved ones;
       (3) recognizes that maintaining peace on the Korean 
     peninsula requires constant vigilance, and continues to stand 
     with the people and the Government of the Republic of Korea 
     in this time of crisis;
       (4) calls on the international community, especially North 
     Korea's ally, China, to condemn this attack and enjoin the 
     Government of North Korea to halt all nuclear activities in 
     accord with United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 
     (2006) and 1874 (2009) and refrain from any further actions 
     that may destabilize the Korean Peninsula;
       (5) calls on the President to work with the Government of 
     the Republic of Korea to take all necessary steps to deter 
     further aggression by the Government of North Korea, in 
     keeping with the security alliance between the United States 
     and the Republic of Korea;
       (6) urges the Administration to continue a bilateral 
     economic relationship with the Republic of Korea; and
       (7) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its 
     alliance with the Republic of Korea for the preservation of 
     peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout 
     the region.

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