[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11961-11964]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA-JAPAN 
                        TRILATERAL RELATIONSHIP

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 634) recognizing the importance of the United 
States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral relationship to counter North 
Korean threats and nuclear proliferation, and to ensure regional 
security and human rights.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 634

       Whereas, on January 6, 2016, North Korea conducted its 
     fourth nuclear test and on February 6, 2016, North Korea 
     conducted an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile technology 
     test, both constituting direct and egregious violations of 
     United Nations Security Council resolutions;
       Whereas each of the governments of the United States, the 
     Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan have condemned the tests, 
     underscoring the importance of a strong and united 
     international response;
       Whereas the ROK President Park Geun-hye and Japan Prime 
     Minister Shinzo Abe have agreed to work with the United 
     States both to institute strong measures in reaction to North 
     Korean provocations, and to prevent North Korea from becoming 
     a nuclear weapons state;
       Whereas the United States, ROK, and Japan have signed a 
     framework to enhance information sharing called the 
     ``Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement Concerning the 
     Nuclear and Missile Threats Posed by North Korea'';
       Whereas Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea (ROK), 
     is 35 miles from the Demilitarized Zone, and Japan is 650 
     miles from North Korea, both within reach of North Korea's 
     weapons;
       Whereas North Korea already has an estimated stockpile of 
     nuclear material that could be converted into 13-21 nuclear 
     weapons, with clear intentions to continue building its 
     nuclear arsenal;
       Whereas North Korea consistently conducts destabilizing 
     domestic military drills, including firing short range 
     missiles into the territorial waters of its neighbors;
       Whereas Admiral William Gortney, Commander of the United 
     States Northern Command has assessed on October 5, 2015, that 
     the North Koreans ``have the capability to reach the [U.S.] 
     homeland with a nuclear weapon from a rocket'' and U.S. 
     Forces Korea Commander General Curtis M. Scaparrotti said on 
     October 24, 2014, that North Koreans ``have the capability to 
     have miniaturized the device [a nuclear warhead] at this 
     point, and they have the technology to potentially deliver 
     what they say they have.'';
       Whereas the United States' deployment of the Terminal High 
     Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system would greatly improve 
     the ROK's missile defense capabilities and the ability of the 
     United States-ROK-Japan cooperative efforts to deter North 
     Korea's threats and provocations;
       Whereas from June 20, 2016, through June 28, 2016, the 
     United States Navy, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, 
     and the Republic of Korea Navy conducted their third biennial 
     Pacific Dragon exercise, a trilateral event focusing on 
     ballistic missile defense;
       Whereas the Report of the United Nations Commission of 
     Inquiry on human rights in North Korea highlights that North 
     Korea's own citizens are starved of life's basic necessities 
     and basic human rights;
       Whereas the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner 
     for Human Rights has established a field-based structure for 
     assessing continued North Korean human rights violations in 
     Seoul, with the strong support of the Governments of the 
     United States, ROK, and Japanese governments; and
       Whereas a strong United States-Republic of Korea-Japan 
     trilateral relationship is a stabilizing force for peace and 
     security in the region, with capabilities to combat future 
     provocations from North Korea: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) strongly condemns North Korea's nuclear tests, missile 
     launches, and continued provocations;
       (2) reaffirms the importance of the United States-Republic 
     of Korea (ROK)-Japan trilateral relationship to counter North 
     Korea's destabilizing activities and nuclear proliferation, 
     and to bolster regional security;
       (3) supports joint military exercises and other efforts to 
     strengthen cooperation, improve defense capabilities, and 
     oppose regional threats like North Korea;
       (4) encourages the deployment and United States-ROK-Japan 
     coordination of regional advanced ballistic missile defense 
     systems against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and 
     provocations;
       (5) calls for the expansion of information and intelligence 
     sharing and sustained diplomatic cooperation between the 
     United States, ROK, and Japan; and
       (6) underscores the importance of the trilateral 
     relationship in tracking North Korea human rights violations 
     and holding it accountable for its abuses against its 
     citizens and the citizens of other countries.

  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. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include any extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 634, recognizing the 
importance of the United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral 
relationship to counter North Korean threats and nuclear proliferation, 
and to ensure regional security and human rights.

[[Page 11962]]

  With North Korea's continued bellicose rhetoric and their belligerent 
actions, it is critical that we stand with our Korean and Japanese 
allies to ensure the stability of the Asia Pacific. And this resolution 
expresses strong support for not only increased trilateral cooperation, 
but for the deployment of the missile defense system, THAAD, which will 
be deployed late next year.
  Importantly, this bill states that a strong United States-Republic of 
Korea-Japan trilateral relationship is a stabilizing force for peace 
and security in the region with capabilities to combat future 
provocations from North Korea. Today, with an ever more belligerent 
North Korea, this partnership has never been more crucial.
  As we know, only weeks ago, the Kim regime test-fired a submarine-
launched ballistic missile. Although the missile traveled only 310 
miles in the direction of Japan, clearly Pyongyang is one step closer 
to being able to target any site in the Pacific. Our governments 
rightly stood side by side condemning this act.
  Mr. Speaker, our defense cooperation with South Korea and Japan is 
strong, but we must remain vigilant. While there are a seemingly 
inexhaustible number of threats around the world, I believe Navy 
Admiral Harry Harris, commander of PACOM, was fundamentally correct 
when he identified North Korea, for now, and Kim Jong-un as the 
greatest immediate threat to Asia, the Pacific, and the United States.
  I urge my colleagues to support our close alliances with South Korea 
and Japan and pass this important resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of this measure. Let me start by thanking the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon), the chair of the Subcommittee on 
Asia and the Pacific, for offering this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, this week the Kim regime in North Korea has again shown 
the world that it has no intention of abandoning its destabilizing and 
provocative pattern of behavior. The recent missile launches are a 
reminder that we must keep up the pressure on that rogue country.
  I am glad President Obama and President Park of South Korea met this 
week about these latest tests, and I am glad they agreed that the new 
U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang should be fully implemented.
  That meeting was a reminder that one of our best tools for dealing 
with North Korea is the United States-Japan-South Korea trilateral 
relationship. These ties allow our countries to coordinate more closely 
on security issues, to share intelligence more quickly and effectively, 
and to pack a bigger punch as we work to hold the Kim regime in North 
Korea accountable for its atrocious record and dangerous record and 
terrible record on human rights.
  I visited North Korea twice, Mr. Speaker, and I can tell you the 
people of that country deserve much, much better. In my view, we should 
be looking for ways to work even more closely with South Korea and 
Japan; and we need to keep up the pressure on China and Russia to do 
more to address the challenge of North Korea. China can put pressure on 
North Korea. China is the only one that can control what North Korea 
does, and yet all we get is lip service. It is not acceptable.
  So I am glad to support this measure. It sends a message that 
Congress understands the value of this trilateral relationship as a 
cornerstone of regional stability.
  I thank Chairman Royce, and I thank Mr. Salmon for his hard work and 
leadership.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Salmon). He is chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. He is also author of this 
measure, but I wanted to thank him particularly for his deep engagement 
in Asia on this and so many other issues as well.
  Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 
634, recognizing the importance of the United States-Republic of Korea-
Japan trilateral relationship to counter North Korean threats and 
nuclear proliferation, and to ensure regional security and human 
rights.
  I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their support of 
this legislation as well as all of my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle for this bipartisan effort.
  As we have all seen, North Korea continues its provocations, which we 
saw again as recently as 2 days ago, when Kim Jong-Un's regime launched 
three more missiles during the final day of the G20 summit. Not only 
did this fly in the face of multiple U.N. resolutions, but was a 
calculated challenge to the international order.
  The administration's strategy of strategic patience with North Korea 
clearly has not worked. What is also clear is that we must work 
proactively with our allies to counter North Korean threats and nuclear 
proliferation.
  The Republic of Korea-Japan relationship has improved dramatically in 
recent years as each partner has recognized the shared interests and 
values of the other, demonstrated by the deep and longstanding 
alliances each of them has with the United States. Our three nations 
working together as one against North Korea's threats will foster 
improved regional security and secure fundamental human rights for the 
North Korean people.
  I have no doubt that North Korea will continue its provocations, and 
we must stand firm with our allies to counter its aggression. This 
resolution puts forth congressional intent to bolster the trilateral 
relationship and offers further support for regional ballistic missile 
defense systems.
  Our alliances with Korea and Japan are the cornerstones of peace and 
security in northeast Asia. We enjoy robust security with both 
countries, from the forward deployment of assets, to joint military 
exercises, to information and intelligence sharing. In fact, Korea 
recently elected to deploy, as Mr. Royce just referred to, the U.S. 
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, known as THAAD, which will 
support existing U.S. and Japanese assets in the region in our mission 
to deter North Korean aggression. In light of North Korea's ongoing 
nuclear tests and missile launches, it is imperative that the United 
States work even more closely with these allies to counter this 
persistent threat.
  I introduced this resolution to reaffirm the importance of the 
trilateral relationship in this tense and unstable time. It supports 
regional allied responses to North Korean threats and human rights 
abuses, and calls for expansion of information sharing and other 
diplomatic relationships between our three countries.
  This is a very important measure for the security of our homeland; 
that of our allies, Korea and Japan; and the international community at 
large. I encourage all Members to support this legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I will close now if there are no speakers on 
the other side. If there is a speaker, then I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith). He is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and 
International Organizations.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the 
distinguished chairman for yielding and for his leadership on this 
issue and Ranking Member Engel, and especially thank Chairman Salmon 
for authoring this important piece of legislation.
  North Korea, as we know, poses an existential threat to its neighbors 
and requires constant vigilance and close cooperation of regional 
allies. The alliance between the United States, South Korea, and Japan 
is vital to curtail North Korea's ever-worsening saber rattling and to 
ensure regional security and human rights.
  A strong relationship between the region's leading democracies is 
also critically important to provide a balance to China's increasingly 
uncertain diplomacy. China subsidizes North Korea's

[[Page 11963]]

bad behavior, enables the torture of asylum seekers by repatriating 
those who escape to China in direct contravention of the Refugee 
Convention, which they have signed and ratified, and provides Kim Jong-
Un needed currency by employing thousands of trafficked workers.
  Though the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on North Korea recommended the 
U.N. impose targeted sanctions on the North Korean leaders responsible 
for massive crimes against humanity, China blocked effective U.N. 
actions. That is why the U.S., South Korea, and Japan must work 
together to identify and list those North Koreans responsible for 
egregious human rights abuses.
  Pyongyang's enablers, abusers, and nuclear customers must be 
identified, and those responsible individuals for gross human rights 
violations ought to be held to account individually.
  There is growing evidence that sanctions are having some effect. We 
know that high-level diplomats and military leaders are defecting, 
recognizing that they will be held accountable if they continue to 
support Kim Jong-Un's barbaric regime.
  The trilateral relationship is also critically important to ensure 
regional security. North Korea's nuclear quest and the multiple recent 
tests of missile technology demonstrate again that China cannot or will 
not control its protege. Despite China's objections, there is need for 
deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and to 
conduct joint military exercises to strengthen coordination and 
cooperation posed by the threat of the North Korean military.
  I support the resolution strongly and hope the House votes 
unanimously for it.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Stewart), a member of the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
  Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman and Mr. 
Salmon for letting me speak in support of this resolution. I have 
worked very closely over the last several years with the Embassy of 
Japan. I was honored, for example, to host the Deputy Ambassador last 
month in Utah. My parents lived for 3 years as a military family in 
Japan, and I remember growing up, our house was filled with Japanese 
art and beautiful bonsai trees. I also feel a personal connection with 
South Korea, where one of my sons served as a missionary for 2 years. 
Both Japan and South Korea are not only critical allies of the United 
States, but they are critical to security and to peace throughout Asia.
  As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, 
I am reminded every day that we live in a dangerous world. On top of 
the list of dangerous challenges is North Korea, which is a brutal, 
thuggish, repressive regime that unquestionably challenges 
international security and stability. For example, as has been 
mentioned here a number of times now, we learned just within the last 
few weeks that three new ballistic missiles had been launched toward 
Japan. Unfortunately, this isn't new. Reports of similar missile 
launches from North Korea seem to be almost routine, and that is why 
this resolution is so important. Not only does it condemn North Korea's 
nuclear test and missile launches, it also reaffirms the importance of 
a strong relationship, once again, between Japan, South Korea, and the 
United States.
  A strong relationship between our three countries is more important 
now than it ever has been before, as we coordinate more advanced 
regional ballistic missile defense systems and work to counter North 
Korea's destabilizing activities.
  Shifting gears just a little bit, I would also like to take a moment 
to mention an American student, David Sneddon, who disappeared in 2004 
without explanation while hiking in southwest China. He was fluent in 
Korean, and some respective experts have suggested that he may have 
been abducted by North Korea to train their intelligence operatives in 
English and Western culture. Recently--in fact, just last week--a news 
outlet in Japan reported that a North Korea defector had seen David and 
that he was alive, that he was teaching English in North Korea.
  I have sponsored a House resolution that asks the State Department to 
investigate the theory that David may have been abducted by the North 
Korean regime, and I urge the House to vote on this important 
resolution. That is why this resolution that we are speaking about 
today is so important. It is one of the foundations that is necessary 
in order for us to move forward on these others. So I urge my 
colleagues to support House Resolution 634, as a strong United States, 
Japan, and South Korea relationship is critical to stopping North Korea 
expansion and operating as a criminal enterprise.
  I thank the chairman again for letting me speak on behalf of this 
resolution.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say that greater stability 
and security across the Asia Pacific needs to be a top priority for the 
United States. Our interests in the alliances in that part of the world 
are only growing more and more important with each passing day.
  So when we see a threat like North Korea, we need to work with our 
partners in the region to respond. That is why our trilateral ties with 
South Korea and Japan are so important. This is an alliance that has 
underpinned and will continue to underpin security in Asia for years to 
come, and we are doing the right thing by voicing our strong support 
for it. I support this measure, and I ask all my colleagues to support 
it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just point out that as 
Kim Jong-Un continues to ratchet up his aggressive actions, we need to 
stand shoulder to shoulder with our Korean and Japanese allies, and 
part of this also means being more proactive in implementing the North 
Korea sanctions law that was passed earlier this year.
  It is unacceptable that no Chinese companies have yet been sanctioned 
under the new law by the administration. We are working on that, but 
today this resolution before us sends a very strong signal that our 
trilateral partnership will remain a standard for security in the Asia 
Pacific. I urge all Members' support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 634, 
expressing support for the U.S.-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral 
relationship.
  The United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral relationship is 
strategically vital to countering the provocations emanating from North 
Korea, and this resolution provides guidance for what should be our 
shared priorities in addressing the threat posed by the paranoid regime 
in Pyongyang.
  As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I remain deeply 
concerned with the volatility and ever-present potential of conflict on 
the Korean Peninsula.
  It is a specter that looms over 75 million Koreans and, for their 
sake and that of the region, the U.S., the Republic of Korea, Japan, 
China, and other regional stakeholders must demonstrate commitment to 
addressing this threat.
  The Korean Peninsula is one of the most dangerous flashpoints on the 
globe. There have been recent developments in the North Korea saga that 
are profoundly troubling and deserve an immediate response from 
Congress.
  North Korea's fourth nuclear weapons test and ongoing ballistic 
missile tests confirm that the regime in Pyongyang is committed to 
defying international norms and destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region.
  This resolution, sanctions passed by Congress, the United Nations 
Security Council Resolution 2270, the R.O.K.'s decision to close 
Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the recent agreement to deploy the 
THAAD missile defense system to the Peninsula constitute a concerted 
effort to target North Korea's illicit trade networks and protect a 
vital U.S. ally from the illicit nuclear program that has made North 
Korea a world pariah.
  The North Korean threat endangers the security and stability of close 
and valued defense treaty allies, the R.O.K. and Japan.
  The U.S. has met this challenge with security assurances, military 
resources, deepened

[[Page 11964]]

economic ties, and an effort to marshal the opposition of the 
international community against a nuclear armed North Korea.
  We must continue to demonstrate the resolve to achieve a nuclear-
weapon-free Korean Peninsula.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. 634, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________