September 24, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 154 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
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EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON IMPORTANCE AND VITALITY OF THE UNITED STATES ALLIANCES WITH JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 154
(House of Representatives - September 24, 2019)
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[Pages H7885-H7886] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON IMPORTANCE AND VITALITY OF THE UNITED STATES ALLIANCES WITH JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 127) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance and vitality of the United States alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and our trilateral cooperation in the pursuit of shared interests, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 127 Whereas the governments and the people of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea share comprehensive and dynamic partnerships and personal friendships rooted in shared interests and the common values of freedom, democracy, and free market economies; Whereas the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea are all free societies committed to the principles of inclusive democracy, respect for human potential, and the belief that the peaceful spread of these principles will result in a safer and brighter future for all of mankind; Whereas the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea are indispensable partners in tackling global challenges and have pledged significant support for efforts to counter violent extremism, combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, prevent piracy, improve global health and energy security, promote human rights, address climate change, contribute to economic development around the world, and assist the victims of conflict and disaster worldwide; Whereas the governments and the people of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea all share a commitment to free and open markets, high standards for the free flow of commerce and trade, and the establishment of an inclusive, transparent, and sustainable architecture for regional and global trade and development; Whereas the United States-Japan and the United States- Republic of Korea alliances are the foundation of regional stability in Asia, including against the threat posed by the regime in Pyongyang; Whereas cooperation between and among our nations spans economic, energy, diplomatic, security, and cultural spheres; Whereas the United States and Japan established diplomatic relations on March 31, 1854, with the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Amity; Whereas the relationship between the peoples 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 2019 marks the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II, a conflict in which the United States and Japan were enemies, and the strength of the United States-Japan alliance is a testament to the ability of great countries to overcome the past and to work together to create a more secure and prosperous future; Whereas the United States-Korea alliance was forged in blood, with United States military casualties during the Korean War of approximately 36,574 killed and more than 103,284 wounded, and with Republic of Korea casualties of more than 217,000 soldiers killed, more than 291,000 soldiers missing, and over 1,000,000 civilians killed or missing; Whereas, for the past 70 years, the partnership between the United States and Japan has played a vital role, both in Asia and globally, in ensuring peace, stability, and economic development; Whereas, approximately 50,000 United States military personnel serve in Japan, along with some of the United States most advanced defense assets, including the 7th Fleet and the USS Ronald Reagan, the only United States aircraft carrier to be homeported outside the United States; Whereas, since the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea, signed in Washington on October 1, 1953, and ratified by the Senate on January 26, 1954, United States military personnel have maintained a continuous presence on the Korean Peninsula, and approximately 28,500 United States troops are stationed in the Republic of Korea in 2019; Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea have stood alongside each other in the four major wars the United States has fought outside Korea since World War II--in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq; Whereas Japan is the fourth-largest United States trading partner and together with the United States represents 30 percent of global Gross Domestic Product, and Japanese firms have invested $469,000,000,000 in the United States; Whereas, the economic relationship between the United States and its sixth-largest trading partner, the Republic of Korea, with which we have a free trade agreement, includes 358,000 jobs in the United States that are directly related to exports to the Republic of Korea, and has resulted in more than $40,000,000,000 in investments by Korean firms in the United States; Whereas Japan and the Republic of Korea stand as strong partners of the United States in efforts to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation, commerce, and overflight and to uphold respect for the rule of law and to oppose the use of coercion, intimidation, or force to change the regional or global status quo, including in the maritime domains of the Indo-Pacific, which are among the busiest waterways in the world; Whereas the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea are committed to working together towards a world where the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (in this preamble referred to as the ``DPRK'') does not threaten global peace and security with its weapons of mass destruction, missile proliferation, and illicit activities, and where the DPRK respects human rights and its people can live in freedom; Whereas section 211 of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (22 U.S.C. 9231; Public Law 114-122) expresses the sense of Congress that the President ``should seek to strengthen high-level trilateral mechanisms for discussion and coordination of policy toward North Korea between the Government of the United States, the Government of South Korea, and the Government of Japan''; Whereas the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-409) underscores the importance of trilateral defense cooperation and enforcement of multilateral sanctions against North Korea and calls for regular consultation with Congress on the status of such efforts; Whereas the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea have made great strides in promoting trilateral cooperation and defense partnership, including ministerial meetings, information sharing, and cooperation on ballistic missile defense exercises to counter North Korean provocations; Whereas the United States views the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between the Republic of Korea and Japan as important to United States security interests in the region, and trilateral information sharing as a critical aspect of cooperation between our allies; Whereas Japanese Americans and Korean Americans have made invaluable contributions to the security, prosperity, and diversity of our Nation, including service as our elected representatives in the Senate and in the House of Representatives; and Whereas the United States Government looks forward to continuing to deepen our enduring partnerships with Japan and the Republic of Korea on economic, security, and cultural issues, as well as embracing new opportunities for bilateral and trilateral partnerships and cooperation on emerging regional and global challenges: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives reaffirms the importance of-- (1) the vital role of the alliances between the United States and Japan and the United States and the Republic of Korea in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region, including through United States extended deterrence, and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to defend Japan, including all areas under the administration of Japan, under Article V of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America [[Page H7886]] and Japan, and to defend the Republic of Korea under Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea; (2) a constructive and forward-looking relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea for United States diplomatic, economic, and security interests and for open and inclusive architecture to support the development of a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region; (3) strengthening and broadening diplomatic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties between and among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea; (4) developing and implementing a strategy to deepen the trilateral diplomatic and security cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, including through diplomatic engagement, regional development, energy security, scientific and health partnerships, educational and cultural exchanges, missile defense, intelligence-sharing, space, cyber, and other diplomatic and defense-related initiatives; (5) trilateral cooperation with members of the United Nations Security Council and other Member States to fully and effectively enforce sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (in this resolution referred to as the ``DPRK'') and evaluate additional and meaningful new measures toward the DPRK under Article 41 of the United Nations Charter; (6) trilateral cooperation to support and uphold a rules- based trade and economic order in the Indo-Pacific region, including the empowerment of women, which is vital for the prosperity of all our nations; (7) supporting the expansion of academic and cultural exchanges among the three nations, especially efforts to encourage Japanese and Korean students to study at universities in the United States, and vice versa, to deepen people-to-people ties; and (8) continued cooperation among the governments of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to promote human rights. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan. General Leave Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 127. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Michigan? There was no objection. Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure, and I want to start by thanking Chairman Engel for his leadership in bringing this measure forward today and Mr. McCaul, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Yoho for their partnership in demonstrating this is a bipartisan effort aimed at strengthening the trilateral ties among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. For many years now, our three countries have worked hard to lay the foundation for enduring regional security in Northeast Asia. We have found common ground in many areas: promoting a rules-based economic order in Asia, defending against aggression from North Korea, and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, to name a few. Recently, however, there has been an alarming deterioration of relations between Seoul and Tokyo. Of particular concern to U.S. interests has been the decision to end the 2015 agreement, an agreement the U.S. worked closely with Seoul and Tokyo to reach, as well as the politicization of bilateral trade disputes. There is no question that we need to get this relationship back on track. The United States, Japan, and Korea have nothing to gain from the current trajectory, but we all have a lot to lose. American businesses lose out when tense trade relations create uncertainty about markets and supply chains. American security is undermined when one of our greatest assets, our alliances, are weakened. And, of course, those who want to see the rules-based order in Asia topple benefit from all of this. This resolution calls on the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to strengthen our trilateral cooperation in areas critical to all of us and to safeguard and strengthen our longstanding diplomatic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties. This is a good measure that I am pleased to support, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, which Chairman Engel and I introduced earlier this year. The U.S. alliances with Japan and South Korea remain critical to U.S. national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. The trilateral cooperation we share with both of these allies is essential now more than ever, as we face China's aggressive expansion with its Belt and Road policy and North Korea's continued nuclear belligerence. But the relationship between South Korea and Japan continues to be burdened by historical grievances surrounding imperial Japan's conduct both before and during World War II. These tensions have flared up since late 2018, developing into an export control dispute and, more recently, affecting our security cooperation. For instance, last month, South Korea announced that it will withdraw from the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan. This key intelligence-sharing pact is essential to our joint responses to North Korean missile launches and other fast-developing military crises. South Korea's withdrawal will take effect in November, so it is essential that this confrontation between the two important U.S. allies be resolved as soon as possible. Chairman Engel's resolution is a timely reminder of the U.S. relationship with both of these critical security partners and the enduring importance of our trilateral cooperation. In addition, Mr. Speaker, Japan has now banned certain products to be exported to South Korea that are used by South Korea and Samsung, which is in my district. They are the largest foreign investment in the United States. Samsung will be hamstrung in its ability to create semiconductor chips and bring them to the United States and its facility out in Austin, Texas, in my district. For all these reasons, and national security reasons, most importantly, I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, this resolution offers a positive vision for our trilateral relationship. Its passage today reaffirms the importance of our countries' cooperation on critical economic and security issues and calls on Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington, collectively, to develop a strategy to reverse the current trajectory and to work together to build stronger ties. It is a good resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 127, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________
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