[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10065-H10068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1445
        RECOGNIZING THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALLIANCE

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1149) recognizing that the United 
States-Republic of Korea alliance serves as a linchpin of regional 
stability and bilateral security, and exemplifies the broad and deep 
military, diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties shared between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows

                              H. Res. 1149

       Whereas the United States Armed Forces and South Korean 
     troops fought together to defend the Korean peninsula from 
     Communist aggression before the Korean Armistice Agreement 
     was signed in 1953, and the United States of America and the 
     Republic of Korea have continued this camaraderie since 
     signing the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States 
     and the Republic of Korea that same year;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is a model for alliance 
     burden-sharing, currently hosting 28,500 American active-duty 
     military personnel, funding fifty percent of the total non-
     personnel costs of the U.S. troop presence on the Korean 
     peninsula, fielding the world's seventh-largest military, and 
     spending over 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product on 
     defense;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea is among the closest allies 
     of the United States, having contributed troops in support of 
     United States operations during the Vietnam war, Gulf war, 
     and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while also supporting 
     numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions throughout the 
     world;
       Whereas United States forces on the Korean Peninsula are 
     critical not only to the security of the Republic of Korea 
     but also to protect against adversaries that threaten 
     regional stability and the United States homeland;
       Whereas the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command is the most 
     integrated and effective combined military command in the 
     world and, taken together with the United Nations Command, 
     has formed a structure that has provided effective defense 
     and deterrence on the Korean Peninsula for decades;
       Whereas North Korea has the world's fourth-largest 
     military, in addition to potentially as many as 60 nuclear 
     weapons and between 2,500 and 5,000 metric tons of chemical 
     weapons;
       Whereas the United States supports the Republic of Korea's 
     efforts at peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula 
     and recognizes the critical importance of close policy 
     coordination between Washington and Seoul;
       Whereas in February 2017, a United Nations investigatory 
     body confirmed that North Korea attempted to sell key 
     materials for constructing miniaturized nuclear warheads, and 
     found that ballistic missile cooperation between Iran and 
     North Korea was ``significant and meaningful'';
       Whereas the United States and South Korea share a 
     commitment to democracy, human rights, and free market 
     principles, as laid out in the 2009 U.S.-ROK Joint Vision 
     Statement as the foundation for a 21st century ``strategic 
     alliance'' based on shared values;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea actively contributes to 
     peacekeeping, cybersecurity, non-proliferation, overseas 
     development assistance, climate change mitigation, 
     counterterrorism, and post-conflict stabilization;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea suffered economic retaliation 
     from China for installing the United States Theater High 
     Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense 
     system, a measure necessitated by North Korea's nuclear and 
     ballistic missile belligerence;
       Whereas Korea is the world's eleventh-largest economy and 
     the sixth-largest goods trading partner of the United States, 
     and

[[Page H10066]]

     creates bilateral trade and investment which supports 400,000 
     American jobs;
       Whereas the United States is the largest foreign direct 
     investor in the Republic of Korea, and Korean investment in 
     the United States is increasing;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea evolved from authoritarian 
     governance to a vibrant, model democracy that embraces human 
     rights and the rule of law in a region increasingly 
     challenged by authoritarianism, which stands in stark 
     contrast to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which 
     commits human rights violations ``that do not have any 
     parallel in the contemporary world'' according to a 2014 
     United Nations report;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea has become a key stakeholder 
     and an active and constructive participant in various 
     international organizations, including the United Nations, G-
     20, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 
     Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Association of 
     Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, International 
     Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization;
       Whereas Korean American Day commemorates the first arrival 
     of Koreans to the United States in 1903 and honors the great 
     contributions of Korean Americans across all aspects of 
     society, which will only continue to grow as this population 
     now numbers nearly two million citizens and as Korean 
     students constitute the third-largest source of foreign 
     students in the United States; and
       Whereas the Korean-American community remains one of the 
     most important bridges between the Republic of Korea and the 
     United States and has helped foster deeper ties between the 
     two nations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes that the United States-Republic of Korea 
     alliance serves as a linchpin of regional stability and 
     bilateral security, and exemplifies the broad and deep 
     military, diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties shared 
     between the United States and the Republic of Korea;
       (2) reiterates that the Republic of Korea and the United 
     States share an interest in the continued strength of the 
     bilateral alliance, and in further deepening the bilateral 
     relationship;
       (3) emphasizes that the United States-Republic of Korea 
     alliance remains not only a bulwark for peace and stability 
     in Northeast Asia, but also an exemplar of democratic values, 
     free market principles, commitment to universal human rights, 
     and the rule of law throughout the Indo-Pacific and globally;
       (4) reaffirms the need for the United States and the 
     Republic of Korea to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in continuing 
     to apply the economic and financial pressure necessary to 
     help peacefully end the Democratic People's Republic of 
     Korea's dangerous nuclear and missile programs; and
       (5) emphasizes that, regardless of the outcome of attempted 
     negotiations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 
     the United States-Republic of Korea alliance will continue to 
     deter, defend against, and defeat any outside aggressors, 
     uphold the peace, and guard the prosperity built by our two 
     nations.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, strengthening U.S.-Korea ties has been one of my top 
priorities in Congress. As a southern Californian, I have seen 
firsthand how Korean Americans serve as pillars not only for their 
communities in the U.S., but also for the friendship between the U.S. 
and South Korea.
  It was an honor to see my former staff member, Young Kim, represent 
my Orange County neighbors and myself in the California State Assembly. 
She served ably and energetically. Her story is the same as so many 
South Koreans who have come to this country and thrived.
  The United States has no better partner in the Asia Pacific than the 
Republic of Korea. We signed the KORUS Free Trade Agreement, which went 
into effect in 2012. Since enactment of the KORUS Free Trade Agreement 
in 2012, trade has flourished, creating jobs in America and South 
Korea. In fact, South Korea is now our sixth largest trading partner, 
and, today, this partnership remains as important as ever as we look at 
the growing challenges across Asia.
  We stood by Seoul as it was wrongfully punished by China for 
installing the THAAD ballistic missile defense system. And we continue 
to lead in helping to address the grave and immediate threats North 
Korea poses to Seoul and poses to the United States and our neighboring 
partners.
  Despite recent diplomatic efforts, it was recently reported that 
North Korea has expanded a missile base along the Chinese border. A 
nearby second facility was also uncovered, while numerous undeclared 
missile bases have now been identified. And last month, North Korea's 
official news media reported that it successfully tested a new ``state-
of-the-art weapon that has been long developed . . . significantly 
improving the combat power of our people's army.'' That is their quote.
  These provocations and developments should underscore the threat we 
face from North Korea. That is why it is so important that we continue 
to press forward together with a campaign of maximum financial and 
diplomatic pressure. We must remain clear-eyed that the third 
generation of the Kim regime poses just as significant of a threat to 
us, our partners, and, most acutely, the North Korean people as ever.
  Again, the U.S. has no better friend in Asia or anywhere else in the 
world than South Korea. We must continue to strengthen this 
partnership, particularly in the face of the threats we continue to 
face.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in support of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, let me once again start by thanking Chairman Royce. He 
has been one of Congress' most active leaders, if not the most active 
leader, on policy related to the Korean Peninsula. He leaves behind a 
great legacy after a distinguished career in this Chamber and a 
remarkable record of bipartisanship and leadership on the Foreign 
Affairs Committee.
  The measure before us today affirms that the United States-Republic 
of Korea alliance will continue to defend against outside aggressors, 
uphold the peace, and guard the prosperity built by our two nations.
  This resolution is before us at a critical time. The American 
alliance with South Korea is under intense strain. It is critical that 
we coordinate with our partners in Seoul when it comes to North Korea, 
but we see the administration and our South Korean partner are not on 
the same page when it comes to this important security issue. I am 
deeply concerned about the potential consequences of this gap between 
our administration and our ally, and many of us in both parties share 
the concern.
  Now, the question of how we handle American policy toward North Korea 
is very important. This resolution rightly lays out that we should 
continue to apply economic pressure to the Kim regime, but we need to 
remember sanctions are a tool, not a complete strategy. We need to 
fully articulate a diplomatic strategy to accompany sanctions and 
enable them to work properly.
  I also think it is important that our sanctions policy provides 
specific humanitarian exemptions. Life-saving humanitarian aid has 
never been held hostage to the political whims of the Kim family. We 
need to continue that tradition and not allow the impoverished, 
mistreated people of North Korea to pay the price for their dictator's 
political machinations.
  I agree with the chairman that we need to put economic pressure on 
the North Korean regime. But Congress should continue to provide space 
for diplomacy and humanitarian assistance, as we do now in our current 
sanctions policy. The resolution before us today would be a stronger 
piece of legislation if it contained mention of this principle.
  Although I wish the resolution laid out more explicitly the 
importance of a holistic strategy to accompany sanctions, it is a good 
measure that I am proud to support.
  Our alliance with Korea is of paramount importance to our strategic 
and security interests, and I am glad this

[[Page H10067]]

measure reaffirms our strong commitment to that partnership.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this 
resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Asia an the Pacific.

  Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, the United States 
recognizes its longstanding and multifaceted relationship with the 
Republic of Korea, one that runs much deeper than the headlines of 
today's news may convey.
  Once among the world's poorest countries and devastated by war less 
than 70 years ago, you would find it difficult to believe the stories 
of Korea's past by visiting Seoul today. I led a bipartisan codel to 
Seoul this September to meet with members of the parliament, Foreign 
Affairs, Trade, and Defense Ministries, and North Korean defectors. The 
U.S.-South Korea partnership is so much more than a military alliance. 
Our partnership cultivated the Miracle on the Han River and showed the 
world how a nation can transition from aid to trade.
  As stated, South Korea is now our sixth largest trading partner and 
tenth largest importer of agricultural products. South Korea has lived 
under the threat of war since its founding, but it has managed to lift 
its people out of extreme poverty and become an aid donor, a leader in 
international fora, one of the greatest sources of investment in the 
United States, and a shining example to many other countries in the 
region.
  As revisionist powers challenge the vision and values that underpin 
the South Korean miracle, the United States needs partners more today 
than ever before, partners that embody and promote the open border from 
which we have both deeply benefited.
  With this resolution, the House recognizes the United States' special 
bond with the Republic of Korea, and the need to deepen and cultivate 
this partnership to promote peace and prosperity of both nations well 
into the future.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Sherman), one of our most senior and ranking members on 
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is ranking member of the 
Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce for introducing H. 
Res. 1149, which recognizes the importance of our alliance with South 
Korea.
  As ranking member of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee and a 
member of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I am pleased to cosponsor 
this resolution with several other Members of Congress.
  The U.S. and South Korea share common values--democracy, commitment 
to justice--but we also share a unique bond of history. The United 
States military and South Korean troops fought side by side to defend 
the Korean Peninsula before the Armistice Agreement of 1953. Today, we 
continue to cooperate in order to defend the Korean Peninsula. In fact, 
South Korea currently hosts 28,500 American Active Duty military 
personnel.
  Only 35 miles separate Seoul from North Korea, and when I was there 
with the chairman, we noticed that property values are considerably 
lower on the north side of Seoul than on the south side of Seoul. While 
we have substantial conventional forces there, no number of soldiers 
can deal with the biggest threat from North Korea; namely, its nuclear 
arsenal.
  Now, I know it has been tweeted that we no longer face a nuclear 
threat from North Korea, would that that be so. Secretary of State 
Pompeo has recently stated that North Korea continues to make more 
fissile material, no doubt using that to make more nuclear bombs, even 
several every year. And satellite imagery shows that North Korea is 
continuing to build and expand bases for intercontinental ballistic 
missiles.
  So we are standing shoulder to shoulder with South Korea, but we face 
a real threat from North Korea, and we will not be able to deal with 
that threat without the assistance of both South Korea and Japan.
  This resolution reaffirms the need for the United States and South 
Korea to stand shoulder to shoulder in continuing to apply necessary 
economic pressure on North Korea. Toward that end, I would say that we 
have scaled back in substance, if not in legal form, our sanctions 
against North Korea, perhaps falsely believing that a few words 
exchanged in Singapore are a reason to do so.
  Recently, we have sent a letter to the administration, a bipartisan 
letter urging them to sanction major Chinese banks, not just small 
ones, that have done business with North Korea in violation of U.S. law 
and U.N. sanctions.
  Now, it is important also to look at the Korean American community, 
and I am pleased that the resolution recognizes the importance of the 
bridges created by the American Korean community between the United 
States and the Republic of Korea.
  I recently led a letter urging President Trump and President Moon to 
make a major priority among North Korea, the United States, and South 
Korea allowing American citizens, some 100,000 of them, who have 
relatives in North Korea to at least be allowed to visit their 
relatives and, even before that, at least be allowed to talk to them 
over the phone. We must recognize the potential for the Korean American 
community to serve the cause of peace and to help establish a dialogue.
  Again, I thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on this measure and 
urge its adoption.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Let me say, Mr. Speaker, I again thank Chairman Royce for his years 
of leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee and his remarkable 
legacy on setting the agenda for American policy in the Korean 
Peninsula.
  The United States-South Korea alliance is essential to our strategic 
posture in Asia. Our commitment to the Republic of Korea will persevere 
as a critical part of American foreign policy. It should be our utmost 
priority to deepen and strengthen our cooperation, and this resolution 
continues and aids that strong partnership.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, first of all, I again recognize and thank Eliot Engel 
for his work on all of these measures, and I also recognize the 
importance of the U.S.-South Korean partnership. I have discussed the 
importance of that defense relationship as we stood shoulder to 
shoulder during the Korean war and how our economic partnership, 
bolstered by the enactment of the KORUS FTA, supports 400,000 American 
jobs.

                              {time}  1500

  While we discuss the importance of this partnership, I want to 
recognize that there is no greater bridge between our countries than 
the Korean American community. Since first arriving in the United 
States in 1903, they have worked tirelessly to form closer bonds 
between the United States and South Korea. And looking forward, the 
U.S. will remain committed to this important relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong 
support for H. Res. 1149 and the alliance between the United States and 
the Republic of Korea.
  Our two nations have forged an important military alliance and strong 
economic and diplomatic friendship built on shared support for 
democracy, free markets and human rights. I have long advocated for 
increasing the American commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, 
with the important U.S.-Korean relationship central to that strategy.
  Both of our nations are threatened by North Korea's nuclear program. 
With nuclear talks at an apparent standstill, the current reduction in 
bilateral military exercises may be harming joint readiness with little 
to show for it. I will continue to urge the administration to conduct 
exercises when militarily necessary and separate our military 
cooperation with South Korea from ongoing negotiations about North 
Korea's nuclear program.
  The United States and the Republic of Korea share a desire to 
eliminate the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile

[[Page H10068]]

programs and secure a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. By working 
together as allies and friends we increase the likelihood of making 
these aspirations into reality.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bost). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1149.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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