Wilson Resolution Reaffirms Significance of U.S.-South Korea Relationship
WASHINGTON - Congressman Joe Wilson today introduced House Resolution 612 that recognizes the critical relationship that the United States and South Korea have forged since the formation of the Republic of Korea in 1948. The resolution reaffirms U.S. support for South Korean forces and reiterates that the U.S. presence in South Korea should not be discussed in any potential negotiation with North Korea.
“I was grateful to have the opportunity to lead a bipartisan delegation of House members to South Korea this summer,” said Congressman Wilson. “During the trip I was reminded that our alliance with South Korea is one of the most important relationships we have around the world. President Donald Trump, who addressed South Korea’s National Assembly in Seoul as a part of his trip to Asia, has demonstrated that he understands the significance of our alliance, and that’s a breath of fresh air for both countries.”
In the years since formal hostilities ended and the Korean Armistice was signed, the U.S. and South Korea have deterred communist aggressors, including the nuclear threat from North Korea, and built a $145 billion annual trade relationship that strengthens the economies in both countries. South Korea began an economic boom in the early 1960’s as the nation recovered from the Korean War. The country quickly became one of the largest industrialized nations in the world, revealing the stark contrast of a booming South as opposed to the destitution of the communist North.
The U.S. and South Korea have cooperated on the peaceful use and implementation of nuclear energy for almost 60 years and worked mutually on pressuring North Korea towards nuclear disarmament.
The U.S. and South Korea conduct five major training exercises and several dozen small unit exercises every year in preparation for possible continued conflict with the North.
South Korea pays approximately $800 million a year in support of U.S. military costs incurred due to the presence of 28,000 troops on the peninsula and has paid nearly $10 billion to build and expand Camp Humphreys for use by the U.S., which Congressman Wilson toured in October.