We Go Together Act

To strengthen the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the We Go Together Act 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) with respect to the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea— (A) we go together katchi kapshida (B) a transactional view of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea is contrary to the spirit of we go together (C) 70 years since the start of the Korean War, as the People’s Republic of China escalates its aggressive behavior in maritime and air domains and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to enhance and test weapons that threaten regional peace and security, a new strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region has reinforced the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea; (D) the 2018 National Defense Strategy states that the willingness of rivals to abandon aggression will depend on their perception of … the vitality of our alliances and partnerships (E) United States alliances and troop deployments should be based on shared principles and goals, not on the profit motive; and (2) with respect to nationals of the Republic of Korea who are employees of United States Forces Korea— (A) the United States Government should endeavor to avoid actions that negatively affect the welfare or well-being of such individuals; (B) as stated by the Commander of United States Forces Korea on March 31, 2020, the partial furlough of such individuals was heartbreaking in no way a reflection of their performance, dedication, or conduct (C) the United States Government should work with the Government of the Republic of Korea to ensure that such individuals do not bear the burden of breakdowns in negotiations regarding defense cost-sharing. 3. Strengthening the Mutual Defense Treaty (a) In general The President may not take any action to change United States policy with respect to the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, signed at Washington October 1, 1953 (5 UST 2368) unless, not later than 120 days before the President takes such an action, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State submit to the appropriate committees of Congress— (1) a detailed justification for such a change; and (2) a certification that— (A) such a change is in the national interest of the United States; and (B) an alternative diplomatic agreement or measure has been devised to replace any lost capacity or benefits resulting from such a change, including— (i) the benefits to United States national security and regional security derived from the presence of the United States Armed Forces in the Republic of Korea; (ii) the nuclear nonproliferation benefits derived from extended deterrence enhanced by the stationing of members of the United States Armed Forces in the Republic of Korea; (iii) the contributions of the Republic of Korea in— (I) countering illegitimate coercion and debt diplomacy; (II) promoting human rights; (III) promoting freedom of navigation and maritime security; (IV) protecting the environment; (V) improving global health; and (VI) assisting the victims of conflict and disaster; (iv) the cooperation of the Republic of Korea with respect to United States efforts to enforce existing United Nations Security Council sanctions with respect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; (v) the diplomatic support of the Republic of Korea for negotiations to implement the commitments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the 2018 Singapore Summit; and (vi) the value of United States trade with the Republic of Korea. (b) Form The justification and certification required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (c) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress (1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

Summary: We Go Together Act This bill requires the President to take certain actions before changing U.S. policy with respect to the U.S.-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty. Specifically, no later than 120 days before making such a change, the President shall provide to Congress (1) a detailed justification for the change, (2) a certification that the change is in the U.S. national interest, and (3) a certification that an alternative agreement or measure is in place to replace any lost capacity or benefits stemming from the change.