I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1383 
To direct certain actions of the United States Government with respect 
to recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans of the Korean Con-
stabulary, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 7, 2017 
Mr. BACON (for himself, Mr. DUNN, Mr. MARSHALL, and Mr. TAYLOR) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, and 
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
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 pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Recognizing Officers 
and Enlisted Men of the Korean Constabulary Act of 
2017’’. 
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SEC. 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 Gov-
ernment in Korea and the people of South Korea. 
(2) The Korean Constabulary was initially in-
tended to supplement United States military oper-
ations 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 de-
fend their fledgling country against internal unrest. 
(5) The Korean Constabulary was under the ju-
risdiction of the Department of National Defense, 
which later became known as the Department of In-
ternal Security of the United States Military Gov-
ernment 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 
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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 be-
lieve 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 unac-
counted for. 
(9) The Government of the Republic of Korea 
owes veterans of the Korean Constabulary due com-
pensation 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. 
SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY. 
Congress commends the veterans of the Korean Con-
stabulary 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. 
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