H. Res. 809 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

November 18, 2020. 

Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea enjoy 

a comprehensive alliance partnership, founded in shared 

strategic interests and cemented by a commitment to 

democratic values; 

Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea work 

closely together to promote international peace and security, economic prosperity, human rights, and the rule of 

law; 

Whereas the relationship between the United States and the 

Republic of Korea goes as far back as Korea’s Chosun 

Dynasty, when the United States and Korea established 

diplomatic relations under the 1882 Treaty of Peace, 

Amity, Commerce, and Navigation; 

Whereas, on August 15, 1948, the Provisional Government of 

the Republic of Korea, established on April 11, 1919, was 

dissolved and transitioned to the First Republic of Korea, 

the first independent government; 

Whereas regional peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific promotes shared United States-Republic of Korea interests 

of prosperity and economic well-being; 

Whereas United States military personnel have maintained a 

continuous presence on the Korean Peninsula since the 
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Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and 

the Republic of Korea (5 UST 2368) was signed at 

Washington on October 1, 1953; 

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 63 years ago the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, 

and Navigation between the United States and the Republic of Korea, with Protocol (8 UST 2217) was signed 

at Seoul on November 28, 1956; 

Whereas the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the 

United States, our shared national security interests, the 

9,000 South Korean civilians working to support the 

joint mission of United States Forces Korea and the 

28,500 United States military service members currently 

stationed in South Korea, are best served by the conclusion of mutually agreeable, multi-year Special Measures 

Agreements; 

Whereas the economic relationship between the United States 

and the Republic of Korea is deep and mutually beneficial to both countries; 

Whereas the Republic of Korea is the United States sixthlargest trading partner; 

Whereas the Republic of Korea is one of the fastest growing 

sources of foreign direct investment in the United States; 

Whereas the United States is the second largest source of 

foreign direct investment in the Republic of Korea; 

Whereas, on January 13, 1903, 102 pioneer Korean immigrants arrived in the United States, initiating the first 

chapter of Korean immigration to America; 
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Whereas the over 2,000,000 Korean Americans living in the 

United States contribute to the diversity and prosperity 

of our Nation, participate in all facets of American life, 

and have made significant contributions to the economic 

vitality of the United States; 

Whereas members of the Korean American community serve 

with distinction in the United States Armed Forces; 

Whereas Korean Americans continue to build and strengthen 

the alliance between the United States and the Republic 

of Korea; and 

Whereas the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (Public Law 

115–409), signed into law on December 31, 2018, states 

that the United States Government— 

(1) is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea and 

all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements 

and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the 

enactment of that Act; 

(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between 

the United States and South Korea in promoting peace 

and security in the Indo-Pacific region; and 

(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of 

diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the 

United States and the Republic of Korea: Now, therefore, 

be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes the vital role the alliance of the 

United States and the Republic of Korea plays in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; 
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(2) calls for the strengthening and broadening of 

diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the 

United States and the Republic of Korea, including 

through the conclusion of mutually agreeable multi-year 

Special Measures Agreements; and 

(3) reaffirms the United States alliance with the 

Republic of Korea is central to advancing United States 

interests, engagement, and influence in the region, based 

on shared commitments to democracy, free-market economics, human rights, and the rule of law. 

Attest: 

Clerk.