[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         U.S.-KOREAN RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2011

  Ms. BASS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to 
represent the people of California's 33rd congressional district, which 
is a microcosm of America. The cultural and economic vibrancy of the 
communities in our district is possibly matched only by its vast 
diversity.
  I am proud that the 33rd district includes Koreatown, the home to 
many Korean-Americans and recent immigrants from Korea. By some 
estimates, there are more Americans of Korean descent living in this 
neighborhood than anywhere else in the United States.
  It should come as no surprise, then, that my constituents and I have 
strong concerns about U.S.-Korean relations. We celebrate the military 
and diplomatic alliance between the United States and the Republic of 
Korea that has entered its seventh decade. We encourage Korean students 
who come to American colleges and universities to pursue their 
educational goals, and we welcome Korean businesses that invest in the 
United States and engage in trade with American businesses and 
consumers.
  It was with great interest that I was able to travel to the Republic 
of Korea last month through their Congressional Member Exchange 
Program. Over the short course of three days, I participated in a 
packed itinerary of meetings with Korean government officials, business 
leaders, American diplomats, and members of the U.S. armed forces 
stationed in Korea.
  One truly powerful moment came on my first full day, when I visited 
the Demilitarized Zone, DMZ, including the Joint Security Area. Gazing 
out over the barren border area into North Korea was a truly eye-
opening experience for me.
  In addition to meeting with Korean executive branch officials--
including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sung-Hwan Kim, Deputy 
Minister for Trade Seok-Young Choi, and National Security Advisor Yung-
Woo Chun--I was also able to meet with our legislative counterparts in 
the Korean National National Assembly, including the chairman of the 
Unification, Foreign Affairs, and Trade Committee (the equivalent of 
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs), the Honorable Kyung-Pil Nam.
  All of these meetings were informative, productive, and educational. 
I learned so much about the history and the breadth and scope of the 
U.S.-Korea alliance partnership.
  Meetings with business leaders were equally fruitful. It was my 
pleasure to attend a dinner hosted by AMCHAM, the American Chamber of 
Commerce in Korea, and I am grateful for the time I was able to spend 
with Amy Jackson, the AMCHAM president.
  Similarly, a tour of the Hyundai Motors corporate headquarters and of 
the company's research and development facility in Hwaseong was 
particularly valuable. Hyundai has significant investment in the United 
States, including several engineering and design facilities in 
California, not far from Los Angeles, as well as in several other 
states. If one includes all their dealerships and repair shops, Hyundai 
employs over 30,000 American workers.
  One of the topics that came up over and over during my visit to Korea 
was the much discussed trade agreement between our two countries. The 
Korean government officials and business leaders I met tried very hard 
to persuade me that the agreement should be ratified soon. It is an 
issue I continue to follow closely, seeking out insights and analysis 
from a wide spectrum of individuals within my congressional district 
and beyond. This visit to Korea further expanded my horizons and the 
knowledge gained was invaluable.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Korean Government for the 
opportunity to visit their country through the Congressional Member 
Exchange Program. Prior to my departure, I had the opportunity to have 
breakfast with Korea's Ambassador to the U.S., Duk-Soo Han, and our 
discussion was very insightful with respect to all the challenges and 
opportunities on the Korean peninsula. As I represent the congressional 
district with the largest Korean-American constituency in the United 
States, I also look forward to returning to Korea to continue building 
on the relationship with our great friend and ally.

                          ____________________