Encouraging Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula

Floor Speech

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 41, a bill encouraging peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, I rise to encourage my colleagues to join me in support of the bill.

This month, hundreds of Korean War veterans will gather in the nation's capital to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. In recognition of their service and for those who continue to serve on the peninsula to this day, we pause to express our appreciation and support.

The Korean War began when North Korea invaded the South on June 25, 1950. A peace treaty was never signed, only an armistice marking the end of hostilities. Today, Korea remains a divided nation, separating more than 10 million South Koreans, including 100,000 Korean-Americans, from their families in the North. As we pause to recognize the sacrifice of those who fought and died in the conflict, we must also remember all the others who were affected as well. This resolution reaffirms the commitment of the US to our alliance with South Korea and our commitment to working with South Korea to encourage the North to cease its nuclear proliferation activities so that talks to reunify the peninsula can commence.

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