Title: Recognizing and reaffirming the critical relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Reaffirms: (1) the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea (South Korea) alliance as a linchpin for security, stability, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond; (2) U.S. support for South Korean forces and continued combined exercises through the region; and (3) that the U.S. military presence in South Korea should not be included or discussed in any potential negotiation with North Korea.
Reinforces longstanding U.S. commitments to defend South Korea, to include providing a full spectrum of extended deterrence.
Urges the governments of the United States and South Korea to take the opportunity of President Trump's upcoming state visit to South Korea to send a message to North Korea that: (1) destabilizing provocations will be met with a resolute response by the U.S.-South Korea combined forces; and (2) if North Korea instead takes a step in the right direction, the United States, South Korea, and the international community are ready to present a brighter future.
Recognizes that the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement is mutually beneficial and has been contributing to the alliance. Encourages the United States and South Korea to: (1) work together to resolve any outstanding issues through the bilateral consultative process, and (2) continue broadening and deepening the alliance by enhancing cooperation and building new partnerships.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 612 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 612

   Recognizing and reaffirming the critical relationship between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea since the establishment of the 
                       Republic of Korea in 1948.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 9, 2017

Mr. Wilson of South Carolina submitted the following resolution; which 
 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to 
   the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing and reaffirming the critical relationship between the 
United States and the Republic of Korea since the establishment of the 
                       Republic of Korea in 1948.

Whereas the United States, still fatigued from World War II, witnessed a Soviet 
        Union-supported North Korea that crossed the 38th parallel invading the 
        Republic of Korea;
Whereas only through the robust partnership of the United States and the 
        Republic of Korea did they repel North Korean forces to north of the 
        38th parallel, establishing the Korean Armistice Agreement, and ending 
        formal hostilities in 1953;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have shared a strong 
        alliance since the end of hostilities in 1953 and entering into the 
        Mutual Defense Treaty establishing the United States-Republic of Korea 
        alliance;
Whereas the Republic of Korea began an economic boom in the early 1960s as it 
        recovered from the Korean War, pushing it high into the ranks of the 
        largest industrialized nations in the world;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have cooperated on the 
        peaceful use and implementation of nuclear energy for almost 60 years;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea trade more than 
        $145,000,000,000 a year in goods, services, and foreign direct 
        investment to further bolster the economies of the two countries;
Whereas the Republic of Korea is covered by the United States nuclear umbrella 
        to aid in deterrence of any aggressors, further building on the 
        alliance;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have worked mutually on 
        pressuring North Korea towards denuclearization;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea conduct 5 major training 
        exercises and several dozen small unit exercises every year in 
        preparation for continued provocations by North Korea;
Whereas the Republic of Korea pays more than $800,000,000 a year in support of 
        United States military costs incurred due to the presence of 28,500 
        troops on the peninsula;
Whereas the Republic of Korea has paid nearly $10,000,000,000 to build and 
        expand Camp Humphreys for use by the United States; and
Whereas the United States-Republic of Korea alliance is strong, and no matter 
        the challenge, ``we go together'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the importance of the United States-Republic 
        of Korea alliance as a linchpin for security, stability, and 
        prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in the Asia-Pacific region, 
        and beyond;
            (2) reinforces the longstanding United States commitments 
        to defend the Republic of Korea to include providing a full 
        spectrum of extended deterrence;
            (3) reaffirms the United States support for Republic of 
        Korea forces and continued combined exercises through the 
        region and that the United States military presence in South 
        Korea should not be included or discussed in any potential 
        negotiation with North Korea;
            (4) urges the Governments of the United States and the 
        Republic of Korea to take the opportunity of President Trump's 
        upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea to send a louder 
        and clearer message to North Korea that any and all 
        destabilizing provocations will be met with a resolute response 
        by the United States-Republic of Korea combined forces and that 
        should North Korea instead take a step in the right direction, 
        the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the international 
        community are ready to present a brighter future;
            (5) recognizes that the United States-Korea Free Trade 
        Agreement, one of the key pillars of the relations between the 
        United States and the Republic of Korea, is mutually beneficial 
        and has been contributing to the alliance, and encourages the 
        United States and the Republic of Korea to work together to 
        resolve any outstanding issues through the bilateral 
        consultative process; and
            (6) encourages the Governments of the United States and the 
        Republic of Korea to continue broadening and deepening the 
        alliance by enhancing cooperation and building new partnerships 
        in both the security and nonsecurity areas.
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