III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 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. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 6, 2015 

Mr. GARDNER (for himself and Mr. CARDIN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

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. 

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; 


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•SRES 278 IS 

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 halfstaff 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; 


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•SRES 278 IS 

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; 


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•SRES 278 IS 

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 Geunhye 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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) welcomes Her Excellency Park Geun-hye, 

3 the President of the Republic of Korea, on her offi4 cial visit to the United States; 

5 (2) reaffirms the importance of the alliance be6 tween the United States and the Republic of Korea, 


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•SRES 278 IS 

1 as enshrined in the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953, 

2 that is vital to peace and security in Northeast Asia, 

3 and welcomes opportunities to strengthen security 

4 ties, including on space, cyber, and missile defense; 

5 and 

6 (3) encourages the United States Government 

7 and the Government of the Republic of Korea to 

8 continue to broaden and deepen the alliance by en9 hancing cooperation in the security, economic, sci10 entific, health, education, and cultural spheres. 

Æ 


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