Recognizing Officers and Enlisted Men of the Korean Constabulary Act of 2017

To direct certain actions of the United States Government with respect to recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans of the Korean Constabulary, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Recognizing Officers and Enlisted Men of the Korean Constabulary Act of 2017 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) From November 1945 to January 1949, the Korean Constabulary undertook internal security tasks on behalf of the United States Military Government in Korea and the people of South Korea. (2) The Korean Constabulary was initially intended to supplement United States military operations during the unification and independence of South Korea. (3) Within two years of its organization, the Korean Constabulary consisted of 25,000 officers and enlisted men. (4) Civil conflict in Korea compelled officers and enlisted men of the Korean Constabulary to defend their fledgling country against internal unrest. (5) The Korean Constabulary was under the jurisdiction of the Department of National Defense, which later became known as the Department of Internal Security of the United States Military Government in Korea. (6) The Korean Constabulary was the core force upon which the Korean Army was established on August 5, 1948. (7) The Korean Government excluded officers and enlisted men of the Korean Constabulary from benefits when it enacted the Republic of Korea’s Military Pension Act, specifically Article 16–9, which states that the calculation of service period shall not include years prior to 1948, the establishment year of the Government of the Republic of Korea. (8) Veterans of the Korean Constabulary believe they have been treated unfairly because they have not been granted pension or aid for healthcare and have been denied Korean military awards and distinguished honors, such as promotion, because their years of service before January 1949 are unaccounted for. (9) The Government of the Republic of Korea owes veterans of the Korean Constabulary due compensation for their service to the Government of the Republic of Korea. (10) Veterans of the Korean Constabulary would like to be honored by the Republic of Korea for their service to the Korean Constabulary. 3. Declaration of policy Congress commends the veterans of the Korean Constabulary for their bravery and honorable service and thanks them for their support during the difficult times leading to the establishment of the Republic of Korea. 4. Actions with respect to Government of the Republic of Korea The Secretary of State shall seek to urge the Government of the Republic of Korea— (1) to reexamine Article 16–9 of the Republic of Korea’s Military Pension Act; and (2) to expeditiously locate the records and remains of 7,235 combat dead of the Korean Constabulary. 5. Report The Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report that contains the following: (1) A description of potential awards and recognition for officers and enlisted men of the Korean Constabulary. (2) If no such awards or recognition would apply, an examination of the possibility of establishing new such awards and recognition. 6. Interment of Korean Constabulary veterans Section 2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (10) (A) An individual who served as an officer or enlisted man of the Korean Constabulary and at the time of death— (i) was a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; and (ii) resided in the United States. (B) In this paragraph, the term Korean Constabulary .

Summary: Recognizing Officers and Enlisted Men of the Korean Constabulary Act of 2017 This bill commends the veterans of the Korean Constabulary and thanks them for their support during the difficult times leading to the establishment of South Korea. (The Korean Constabulary undertook internal security tasks on behalf of the U.S. military government in Korea and the South Korean people from November 1945 to January 1949.) The Department of State shall seek to urge the South Korean government to: (1) reexamine Article 16-9 of South Korea's Military Pension Act, and (2) expeditiously locate the records and remains of 7,235 combat dead of the Korean Constabulary. (Article 16-9 of South Korea's Military Pension Act denies veterans of the Korean Constabulary coverage for their service prior to the establishment of South Korea.) The Department of Defense shall submit a report that: (1) describes potential awards and recognition for officers and enlisted men of the Korean Constabulary, and (2) examines the possibility of establishing new awards and recognition for those individuals if no awards or recognition currently apply. The bill includes among persons who are eligible for interment in national cemeteries any veteran of the Korean Constabulary who, at the time of death, resided in the United States and was a citizen of, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in, the United States.