Recognizing the United States-Republic of Korea Alliance

Floor Speech

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Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H. Res. 1149 and the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Our two nations have forged an important military alliance and strong economic and diplomatic friendship built on shared support for democracy, free markets and human rights. I have long advocated for increasing the American commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, with the important U.S.-Korean relationship central to that strategy.

Both of our nations are threatened by North Korea's nuclear program. With nuclear talks at an apparent standstill, the current reduction in bilateral military exercises may be harming joint readiness with little to show for it. I will continue to urge the administration to conduct exercises when militarily necessary and separate our military cooperation with South Korea from ongoing negotiations about North Korea's nuclear program.

The United States and the Republic of Korea share a desire to eliminate the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and secure a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. By working together as allies and friends we increase the likelihood of making these aspirations into reality.

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