[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15692-15693]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 278--WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA 
 ON HER OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND CELEBRATING THE UNITED 
     STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA RELATIONSHIP, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. GARDNER (for himself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 278

       Whereas the Government and people of the United States and 
     the Republic of Korea share a comprehensive alliance, a 
     dynamic partnership, and a personal friendship rooted in the 
     common values of freedom, democracy, and a free market 
     economy;
       Whereas the alliance between the United States and the 
     Republic of Korea is a linchpin of regional stability in 
     Asia, including against the threats posed by the regime in 
     Pyongyang;
       Whereas cooperation between our nations spans across the 
     security, diplomatic, economic, energy, and cultural spheres;
       Whereas the relationship between the people of the United 
     States and the Republic of Korea stretches back to Korea's 
     Chosun Dynasty, when the United States and Korea established 
     diplomatic relations under the 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, 
     Commerce, and Navigation;
       Whereas the United States-Republic of Korea alliance was 
     forged in blood, with casualties of the United States during 
     the Korean War of 54,246 dead (of whom 33,739 were battle 
     deaths) and more than 103,284 wounded, and casualties of the 
     Republic of Korea of over 50,000 soldiers dead and over 
     10,000 wounded;
       Whereas the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act (Public Law 
     111-41) was enacted on July 27, 2009, and President Barack 
     Obama issued a proclamation to designate the date as the 
     National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day and called upon 
     Americans to display flags at half-staff in memory of the 
     Korean War veterans;
       Whereas the Republic of Korea has stood shoulder-to-
     shoulder alongside the United States in all 4 major 
     engagements the United States has faced since World War II--
     the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, in Afghanistan, and in 
     Iraq;
       Whereas, since the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, to which the 
     Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification on January 
     26, 1954, United States military personnel have maintained a 
     continuous presence on the Korean Peninsula, and currently 
     there are approximately 28,500 United States troops stationed 
     in the Republic of Korea;
       Whereas, in January 2014, the United States and the 
     Republic of Korea successfully concluded negotiations for a 
     new five-year Special Measures Agreement (SMA), establishing 
     the framework for Republic of Korea contributions to offset 
     the costs associated with the stationing of United States 
     Forces Korea (USFK) on the Korean Peninsula;
       Whereas, the Governments and people of the United States 
     and the Republic of Korea share a deep commitment to 
     addressing the continued suffering of the people of the 
     Democratic People's Republic of Korea due to the human rights 
     abuses and repression of the regime in Pyongyang;
       Whereas, on March 15, 2012, the United States-Republic of 
     Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into force, which both 
     sides have committed to fully implement, and the Republic of 
     Korea is the United States sixth-largest trade partner, with 
     United States goods and exports to Korea reaching a record 
     level of $44,500,000,000 in 2014, up over 7 percent compared 
     to 2013;
       Whereas, on May 7, 2013, the United States and the Republic 
     of Korea signed a Joint Declaration in Commemoration of the 
     60th Anniversary of the Alliance Between the Republic of 
     Korea and the United States;
       Whereas, on May 8, 2013, Her Excellency Park Geun-hye, the 
     President of the Republic of Korea, addressed a Joint Session 
     of Congress;
       Whereas the United States Government notes the address 
     delivered by President Park Geun-hye in Dresden, Germany, on 
     March 28, 2014, and recognizes her efforts to promote peace, 
     stability, and cooperation in Northeast Asia;
       Whereas the United States Government appreciates the 
     Government of the Republic of Korea's leadership and the 
     critical role of the United States-Republic of Korea alliance 
     in defusing tensions along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 
     August and September of 2015, that were provoked by the 
     Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
       Whereas there are deep cultural and personal ties between 
     the peoples of the United States and the Republic of Korea, 
     as exemplified by the large flow of visitors and exchanges 
     each year between the 2 countries, including Korean students 
     studying in United States colleges and universities;
       Whereas Korean-Americans have made invaluable contributions 
     to our Nation's security, prosperity, and diversity;
       Whereas, from October 14-16, 2015, President Park Geun-hye 
     will visit Washington for a second official visit to the 
     United States since her election as President; and
       Whereas the United States Government looks forward to 
     continuing to deepen our enduring partnership with the 
     Republic of Korea on security, economic, cultural issues, as 
     well as embracing new opportunities for cooperation on 
     emerging regional and global challenges: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) welcomes Her Excellency Park Geun-hye, the President of 
     the Republic of Korea, on her official visit to the United 
     States;

[[Page 15693]]

       (2) reaffirms the importance of the alliance between the 
     United States and the Republic of Korea, as enshrined in the 
     Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953, that is vital to peace and 
     security in Northeast Asia, and welcomes opportunities to 
     strengthen security ties, including on space, cyber, and 
     missile defense; and
       (3) encourages the United States Government and the 
     Government of the Republic of Korea to continue to broaden 
     and deepen the alliance by enhancing cooperation in the 
     security, economic, scientific, health, education, and 
     cultural spheres.

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