[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        APPRECIATING SOUTH KOREA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 70th 
anniversary of the South Korea and United States alliance, formed in 
October 1953, with the signing of a mutual defense agreement at the end 
of the Korean War. Over the past seven decades, the alliance has proved 
to be successful, as the goal of protecting South Korea, specifically 
from another North Korea invasion has been achieved.
  South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is one of the United 
States most valuable economic and strategic partners in Asia. South 
Korea is now our sixth largest trading partner, and we are their second 
largest, behind China.
  Thursday, I was grateful to greet His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, 
President of Korea, to the Capitol and attend his address to the joint 
meeting of Congress along with my good Korean-American friend, Mr. 
Jaehoon Choe, who is also a fellow South Carolinian.
  Amazingly the President cited ``Known as the `Miracle on the Han 
River,' Korea's economic growth rate was unrivaled. Korea was one of 
the Least Developed Countries after the war. Its annual income was just 
U.S. $67 per capita. Now its economy ranks tenth in the world.'' Today, 
South Korea per capita is $33,340 as North Korea is estimated a 
gruesome $1,298.
  In His Excellency's address he stated, ``My friends, freedom and 
democracy are once again under threat. The war against Ukraine is a 
violation of international law. It is an attempt to unilaterally change 
the status quo with force. Korea strongly condemns the unprovoked armed 
attack against Ukraine.
  ``When North Korea invaded us in 1950, democracies came running to 
help us. We fought together and kept our freedom. The rest is history.
  ``Korea's experience shows us just how important it is for 
democracies to uphold solidarity. Korea will stand in solidarity with 
the free world. We will actively work to safeguard the freedom of the 
people of Ukraine and support their efforts in reconstruction.''
  South Korea is well represented in Washington with Ambassador Cho 
Hyun-dong who effectively promotes Seoul for defense and job creation 
for Korea and America.
  As our military continues the fight in the War on Terrorism, we can 
find inspiration in remembering the Korean War victory over communism, 
which reminds us that Americans have a long history of defeating 
enemies of freedom all over the world achieving peace through strength.

                          ____________________