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Van Hollen, Menendez, Risch, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing 70th Anniversary of U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, Celebrating U.S.-ROK Alliance

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the SFRC Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in addition to Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, and four Senate colleagues in unveiling a bipartisan resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Introduced in advance of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s upcoming visit to Washington, the bipartisan resolution reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance as the linchpin of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and underscores the breadth and depth of our nations’ diplomatic, military, and people-to-people relations.

“Over the last 70 years, the strong bonds that have been built between the United States and the Republic of Korea have resulted in countless economic, diplomatic, and strategic benefits to our two nations. On this anniversary, we celebrate our common values and the progress we’ve made together, and we recommit to this partnership between our countries that serves as a linchpin for peace and prosperity in the region,” said Senator Van Hollen. 

“As we prepare to welcome President Yoon to Washington, I am immensely proud to be joined by colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing this resolution in honor of the enduring U.S.-ROK partnership,” Chairman Menendez said. “Bound together by our values, community ties, and commitment to advance democracy and the international rules-based order, the United States and the Republic of Korea have collaborated for decades to seek peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including addressing and mitigating the threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to deepen our nations’ alliance as we together seek to forge a more secure future and lasting peace for generations to come.”

“On the eve of President Yoon’s visit to the United States, I am encouraged by South Korea’s desire to work towards a free and peaceful Indo-Pacific by defending freedom and economic development, and upholding human rights,” said Ranking Member Risch. “I also applaud President Yoon’s political courage to cooperate and strengthen ties with Japan, and will continue to be a strong supporter of trilateral cooperation.” 

“The United States-South Korean relationship is one based not just on the deterrence of mutual threats, but of common goals, aspirations, and friendship,” said Senator Romney. “Upon the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, we welcome the visit of President Yoon to further strengthen our ties with ROK, reaffirm our ironclad commitment to extended deterrence, and ensure the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Joining Senators Van Hollen, Menendez, Risch, and Romney in introducing the bipartisan resolution were Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). The companion resolution was also unveiled today in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-N.Y.).

Among its provisions, the bipartisan resolution also:

  1. Reaffirms the United States’ extended deterrence commitments to the Republic of Korea;
  2. supports ongoing efforts to further strengthen, broaden, and deepen the U.S.-ROK alliance;
  3. supports ROK engagement in regional diplomacy and engagement with Quad initiatives;
  4. calls for close coordination to achieve the denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the establishment of a permanent and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula;
  5. encourages close cooperation among the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan to address shared challenges;
  6. and recognizes the deep partnership forged over the last 70 years since the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty. 

Find a copy of the resolution HERE.