[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 149 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HYE AND RECOGNIZING THE 
                 IMPORTANCE OF THE U.S.-KOREA ALLIANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2015

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend a warm welcome to the 
President of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, who will visit 
Washington, D.C. for the second time as President next week, on October 
13, 2015.
  President Park Geun-hye has a long and distinguished career in 
government prior to her election as President and she has proven a most 
capable leader for the Korean people.
  The alliance between the United States and Korea is founded, first 
and foremost, on our shared values of democracy and our belief in the 
rule of law. The U.S.-Korea alliance is a critical aspect of the 
security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region and continues to grow 
and expand. Our partnership is critical in defending against the threat 
of an increasingly belligerent and unpredictable North Korean regime. 
North Korea continues to threaten stability on the Peninsula through 
its rogue nuclear program and dangerous conventional and cyber 
capabilities. The Republic of Korea, however, has been our close friend 
and ally in this most sensitive and serious endeavor, and we should 
strive to take our security partnership to new levels in the coming 
years.
  Korea and the United States have also cooperated closely in the 
development of our civilian nuclear programs for more than 50 years, 
and over the last several years our countries have been negotiating a 
new Nuclear Cooperation Agreement to upgrade and replace the previous 
accord. Today, the Korea 123 Agreement is under review in the U.S. 
Congress. I look forward to its passage and our continued work in this 
important area.
  A robust economic relationship between the U.S. and Korea remains an 
important aspect of our cooperation. The Republic of Korea is the 
United States' sixth largest trading partner, and during President 
Park's tenure, we saw the entry-into-force of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade 
Agreement.
  The U.S.-Korea alliance and the multifaceted ties between our two 
peoples will surely grow deeper as we continue to work together on 
myriad issues of common concern. I once again welcome President Park to 
Washington with my best wishes for a successful visit.

                          ____________________