Recognizing the Strong Alliance Between the Republic of Korea and the United States

Floor Speech

RECOGNIZING THE STRONG ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES -- (House of Representatives - June 11, 2007)

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Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution, which recognizes the enduring ties of an alliance first forged over half a century ago in the crucible of the Korean War. It was heartening to see the photographs from Seoul of the thousands of South Korean citizens who gathered in a downtown plaza on June 6, Korea's memorial day, to express their support of the alliance. They waved South Korean flags and the Stars and Stripes together to show enthusiasm for the strong bonds that link our two countries.

Later this month, June 25, marks the 57th anniversary of the North Korean invasion across the Demilitarized Zone. This surprise attack in the early hours of a Sunday morning sought to snuff the life out of an embryonic South Korean democracy. President Harry Truman's immediate unflinching decision to come to the aid of an embattled South Korea proved that the United States would not retreat from its rendezvous with destiny.

Together with our South Korean and other allies, we turned the tide of war at Inchon and preserved the South Korean state, which we honor as an ally today.

South Korea's commitment to the alliance is seen in many ways, as in the 1,200 South Korean military personnel deployed to Iraq, which makes South Korea's contribution the third largest in the coalition contingent. There is also the $460 million which the Republic of Korea has pledged toward postwar Iraq reconstruction, and there are the close consultations we hold together in the six-party process to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. These are the actions of a true and loyal friend, for which we express our gratitude in this resolution.

Let me also take this opportunity to second the words of the United States forces Korea commander, General Bell, that South Korea Sergeant Yoon Jang-ho, who was South Korea's first uniformed casualty in the war on terror, was a hero. Sergeant Yoon was killed February 27 by a suicide bomber in Bagram, Afghanistan.

This young soldier, although born in Korea, had spent his high school and college years in Indiana, graduating from Indiana University. He returned to South Korea to complete his military service and volunteered for service in Afghanistan. His loss was deeply felt, both in his home nation of Korea and his adopted hometown of Bloomington, Indiana.

The shared mourning of the peoples of two nations for this valiant soldier is one more concrete indication of the ties that bind our two nations. Another, of course, is the talent and dynamism of the 2-million-strong ethnic Korean community in the United States. Los Angeles represents the largest concentrated urban center of Korean culture outside of the Korean Peninsula. For this enriching contribution to America's melting pot, we are extremely grateful.

I therefore urge immediate passage of this resolution which recognizes this strong and enduring alliance.

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