[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5139-H5142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA-JAPAN
TRILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 634) recognizing the importance of the United
States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral relationship to counter North
Korean threats and nuclear proliferation, and to ensure regional
security and human rights.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 634
Whereas, on January 6, 2016, North Korea conducted its
fourth nuclear test and on February 6, 2016, North Korea
conducted an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile technology
test, both constituting direct and egregious violations of
United Nations Security Council resolutions;
Whereas each of the governments of the United States, the
Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan have condemned the tests,
underscoring the importance of a strong and united
international response;
Whereas the ROK President Park Geun-hye and Japan Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe have agreed to work with the United
States both to institute strong measures in reaction to North
Korean provocations, and to prevent North Korea from becoming
a nuclear weapons state;
Whereas the United States, ROK, and Japan have signed a
framework to enhance information sharing called the
``Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement Concerning the
Nuclear and Missile Threats Posed by North Korea'';
Whereas Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea (ROK),
is 35 miles from the Demilitarized Zone, and Japan is 650
miles from North Korea, both within reach of North Korea's
weapons;
Whereas North Korea already has an estimated stockpile of
nuclear material that could be converted into 13-21 nuclear
weapons, with clear intentions to continue building its
nuclear arsenal;
Whereas North Korea consistently conducts destabilizing
domestic military drills, including firing short range
missiles into the territorial waters of its neighbors;
Whereas Admiral William Gortney, Commander of the United
States Northern Command has assessed on October 5, 2015, that
the North Koreans ``have the capability to reach the [U.S.]
homeland with a nuclear weapon from a rocket'' and U.S.
Forces Korea Commander General Curtis M. Scaparrotti said on
October 24, 2014, that North Koreans ``have the capability to
have miniaturized the device [a nuclear warhead] at this
point, and they have the technology to potentially deliver
what they say they have.'';
Whereas the United States' deployment of the Terminal High
Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system would greatly improve
the ROK's missile defense capabilities and the ability of the
United States-ROK-Japan cooperative efforts to deter North
Korea's threats and provocations;
Whereas from June 20, 2016, through June 28, 2016, the
United States Navy, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force,
and the Republic of Korea Navy conducted their third biennial
Pacific Dragon exercise, a trilateral event focusing on
ballistic missile defense;
Whereas the Report of the United Nations Commission of
Inquiry on human rights in
[[Page H5140]]
North Korea highlights that North Korea's own citizens are
starved of life's basic necessities and basic human rights;
Whereas the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights has established a field-based structure for
assessing continued North Korean human rights violations in
Seoul, with the strong support of the Governments of the
United States, ROK, and Japanese governments; and
Whereas a strong United States-Republic of Korea-Japan
trilateral relationship is a stabilizing force for peace and
security in the region, with capabilities to combat future
provocations from North Korea: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) strongly condemns North Korea's nuclear tests, missile
launches, and continued provocations;
(2) reaffirms the importance of the United States-Republic
of Korea (ROK)-Japan trilateral relationship to counter North
Korea's destabilizing activities and nuclear proliferation,
and to bolster regional security;
(3) supports joint military exercises and other efforts to
strengthen cooperation, improve defense capabilities, and
oppose regional threats like North Korea;
(4) encourages the deployment and United States-ROK-Japan
coordination of regional advanced ballistic missile defense
systems against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and
provocations;
(5) calls for the expansion of information and intelligence
sharing and sustained diplomatic cooperation between the
United States, ROK, and Japan; and
(6) underscores the importance of the trilateral
relationship in tracking North Korea human rights violations
and holding it accountable for its abuses against its
citizens and the citizens of other countries.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include any extraneous material on this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 634, recognizing the
importance of the United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral
relationship to counter North Korean threats and nuclear proliferation,
and to ensure regional security and human rights.
With North Korea's continued bellicose rhetoric and their belligerent
actions, it is critical that we stand with our Korean and Japanese
allies to ensure the stability of the Asia Pacific. And this resolution
expresses strong support for not only increased trilateral cooperation,
but for the deployment of the missile defense system, THAAD, which will
be deployed late next year.
Importantly, this bill states that a strong United States-Republic of
Korea-Japan trilateral relationship is a stabilizing force for peace
and security in the region with capabilities to combat future
provocations from North Korea. Today, with an ever more belligerent
North Korea, this partnership has never been more crucial.
As we know, only weeks ago, the Kim regime test-fired a submarine-
launched ballistic missile. Although the missile traveled only 310
miles in the direction of Japan, clearly Pyongyang is one step closer
to being able to target any site in the Pacific. Our governments
rightly stood side by side condemning this act.
Mr. Speaker, our defense cooperation with South Korea and Japan is
strong, but we must remain vigilant. While there are a seemingly
inexhaustible number of threats around the world, I believe Navy
Admiral Harry Harris, commander of PACOM, was fundamentally correct
when he identified North Korea, for now, and Kim Jong-un as the
greatest immediate threat to Asia, the Pacific, and the United States.
I urge my colleagues to support our close alliances with South Korea
and Japan and pass this important resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of this measure. Let me start by thanking the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon), the chair of the Subcommittee on
Asia and the Pacific, for offering this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, this week the Kim regime in North Korea has again shown
the world that it has no intention of abandoning its destabilizing and
provocative pattern of behavior. The recent missile launches are a
reminder that we must keep up the pressure on that rogue country.
I am glad President Obama and President Park of South Korea met this
week about these latest tests, and I am glad they agreed that the new
U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang should be fully implemented.
That meeting was a reminder that one of our best tools for dealing
with North Korea is the United States-Japan-South Korea trilateral
relationship. These ties allow our countries to coordinate more closely
on security issues, to share intelligence more quickly and effectively,
and to pack a bigger punch as we work to hold the Kim regime in North
Korea accountable for its atrocious record and dangerous record and
terrible record on human rights.
I visited North Korea twice, Mr. Speaker, and I can tell you the
people of that country deserve much, much better. In my view, we should
be looking for ways to work even more closely with South Korea and
Japan; and we need to keep up the pressure on China and Russia to do
more to address the challenge of North Korea. China can put pressure on
North Korea. China is the only one that can control what North Korea
does, and yet all we get is lip service. It is not acceptable.
So I am glad to support this measure. It sends a message that
Congress understands the value of this trilateral relationship as a
cornerstone of regional stability.
I thank Chairman Royce, and I thank Mr. Salmon for his hard work and
leadership.
I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1700
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Salmon). He is chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. He is also author of this
measure, but I wanted to thank him particularly for his deep engagement
in Asia on this and so many other issues as well.
Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution
634, recognizing the importance of the United States-Republic of Korea-
Japan trilateral relationship to counter North Korean threats and
nuclear proliferation, and to ensure regional security and human
rights.
I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their support of
this legislation as well as all of my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle for this bipartisan effort.
As we have all seen, North Korea continues its provocations, which we
saw again as recently as 2 days ago, when Kim Jong-Un's regime launched
three more missiles during the final day of the G20 summit. Not only
did this fly in the face of multiple U.N. resolutions, but was a
calculated challenge to the international order.
The administration's strategy of strategic patience with North Korea
clearly has not worked. What is also clear is that we must work
proactively with our allies to counter North Korean threats and nuclear
proliferation.
The Republic of Korea-Japan relationship has improved dramatically in
recent years as each partner has recognized the shared interests and
values of the other, demonstrated by the deep and longstanding
alliances each of them has with the United States. Our three nations
working together as one against North Korea's threats will foster
improved regional security and secure fundamental human rights for the
North Korean people.
I have no doubt that North Korea will continue its provocations, and
we must stand firm with our allies to counter its aggression. This
resolution puts forth congressional intent to bolster the trilateral
relationship and offers further support for regional ballistic missile
defense systems.
Our alliances with Korea and Japan are the cornerstones of peace and
security in northeast Asia. We enjoy robust security with both
countries, from the forward deployment of assets, to joint military
exercises, to information and intelligence sharing. In fact, Korea
recently elected to deploy, as Mr. Royce just referred to, the U.S.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system,
[[Page H5141]]
known as THAAD, which will support existing U.S. and Japanese assets in
the region in our mission to deter North Korean aggression. In light of
North Korea's ongoing nuclear tests and missile launches, it is
imperative that the United States work even more closely with these
allies to counter this persistent threat.
I introduced this resolution to reaffirm the importance of the
trilateral relationship in this tense and unstable time. It supports
regional allied responses to North Korean threats and human rights
abuses, and calls for expansion of information sharing and other
diplomatic relationships between our three countries.
This is a very important measure for the security of our homeland;
that of our allies, Korea and Japan; and the international community at
large. I encourage all Members to support this legislation.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I will close now if there are no speakers on
the other side. If there is a speaker, then I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith). He is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and
International Organizations.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the
distinguished chairman for yielding and for his leadership on this
issue and Ranking Member Engel, and especially thank Chairman Salmon
for authoring this important piece of legislation.
North Korea, as we know, poses an existential threat to its neighbors
and requires constant vigilance and close cooperation of regional
allies. The alliance between the United States, South Korea, and Japan
is vital to curtail North Korea's ever-worsening saber rattling and to
ensure regional security and human rights.
A strong relationship between the region's leading democracies is
also critically important to provide a balance to China's increasingly
uncertain diplomacy. China subsidizes North Korea's bad behavior,
enables the torture of asylum seekers by repatriating those who escape
to China in direct contravention of the Refugee Convention, which they
have signed and ratified, and provides Kim Jong-Un needed currency by
employing thousands of trafficked workers.
Though the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on North Korea recommended the
U.N. impose targeted sanctions on the North Korean leaders responsible
for massive crimes against humanity, China blocked effective U.N.
actions. That is why the U.S., South Korea, and Japan must work
together to identify and list those North Koreans responsible for
egregious human rights abuses.
Pyongyang's enablers, abusers, and nuclear customers must be
identified, and those responsible individuals for gross human rights
violations ought to be held to account individually.
There is growing evidence that sanctions are having some effect. We
know that high-level diplomats and military leaders are defecting,
recognizing that they will be held accountable if they continue to
support Kim Jong-Un's barbaric regime.
The trilateral relationship is also critically important to ensure
regional security. North Korea's nuclear quest and the multiple recent
tests of missile technology demonstrate again that China cannot or will
not control its protege. Despite China's objections, there is need for
deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and to
conduct joint military exercises to strengthen coordination and
cooperation posed by the threat of the North Korean military.
I support the resolution strongly and hope the House votes
unanimously for it.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah
(Mr. Stewart), a member of the Committee on Appropriations and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Mr. STEWART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman and Mr.
Salmon for letting me speak in support of this resolution. I have
worked very closely over the last several years with the Embassy of
Japan. I was honored, for example, to host the Deputy Ambassador last
month in Utah. My parents lived for 3 years as a military family in
Japan, and I remember growing up, our house was filled with Japanese
art and beautiful bonsai trees. I also feel a personal connection with
South Korea, where one of my sons served as a missionary for 2 years.
Both Japan and South Korea are not only critical allies of the United
States, but they are critical to security and to peace throughout Asia.
As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
I am reminded every day that we live in a dangerous world. On top of
the list of dangerous challenges is North Korea, which is a brutal,
thuggish, repressive regime that unquestionably challenges
international security and stability. For example, as has been
mentioned here a number of times now, we learned just within the last
few weeks that three new ballistic missiles had been launched toward
Japan. Unfortunately, this isn't new. Reports of similar missile
launches from North Korea seem to be almost routine, and that is why
this resolution is so important. Not only does it condemn North Korea's
nuclear test and missile launches, it also reaffirms the importance of
a strong relationship, once again, between Japan, South Korea, and the
United States.
A strong relationship between our three countries is more important
now than it ever has been before, as we coordinate more advanced
regional ballistic missile defense systems and work to counter North
Korea's destabilizing activities.
Shifting gears just a little bit, I would also like to take a moment
to mention an American student, David Sneddon, who disappeared in 2004
without explanation while hiking in southwest China. He was fluent in
Korean, and some respective experts have suggested that he may have
been abducted by North Korea to train their intelligence operatives in
English and Western culture. Recently--in fact, just last week--a news
outlet in Japan reported that a North Korea defector had seen David and
that he was alive, that he was teaching English in North Korea.
I have sponsored a House resolution that asks the State Department to
investigate the theory that David may have been abducted by the North
Korean regime, and I urge the House to vote on this important
resolution. That is why this resolution that we are speaking about
today is so important. It is one of the foundations that is necessary
in order for us to move forward on these others. So I urge my
colleagues to support House Resolution 634, as a strong United States,
Japan, and South Korea relationship is critical to stopping North Korea
expansion and operating as a criminal enterprise.
I thank the chairman again for letting me speak on behalf of this
resolution.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say that greater stability
and security across the Asia Pacific needs to be a top priority for the
United States. Our interests in the alliances in that part of the world
are only growing more and more important with each passing day.
So when we see a threat like North Korea, we need to work with our
partners in the region to respond. That is why our trilateral ties with
South Korea and Japan are so important. This is an alliance that has
underpinned and will continue to underpin security in Asia for years to
come, and we are doing the right thing by voicing our strong support
for it. I support this measure, and I ask all my colleagues to support
it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just point out that as
Kim Jong-Un continues to ratchet up his aggressive actions, we need to
stand shoulder to shoulder with our Korean and Japanese allies, and
part of this also means being more proactive in implementing the North
Korea sanctions law that was passed earlier this year.
It is unacceptable that no Chinese companies have yet been sanctioned
under the new law by the administration. We are working on that, but
today this resolution before us sends a very strong signal that our
trilateral partnership will remain a standard for security in the Asia
Pacific. I urge all Members' support.
[[Page H5142]]
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 634,
expressing support for the U.S.-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral
relationship.
The United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral relationship is
strategically vital to countering the provocations emanating from North
Korea, and this resolution provides guidance for what should be our
shared priorities in addressing the threat posed by the paranoid regime
in Pyongyang.
As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I remain deeply
concerned with the volatility and ever-present potential of conflict on
the Korean Peninsula.
It is a specter that looms over 75 million Koreans and, for their
sake and that of the region, the U.S., the Republic of Korea, Japan,
China, and other regional stakeholders must demonstrate commitment to
addressing this threat.
The Korean Peninsula is one of the most dangerous flashpoints on the
globe. There have been recent developments in the North Korea saga that
are profoundly troubling and deserve an immediate response from
Congress.
North Korea's fourth nuclear weapons test and ongoing ballistic
missile tests confirm that the regime in Pyongyang is committed to
defying international norms and destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region.
This resolution, sanctions passed by Congress, the United Nations
Security Council Resolution 2270, the R.O.K.'s decision to close
Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the recent agreement to deploy the
THAAD missile defense system to the Peninsula constitute a concerted
effort to target North Korea's illicit trade networks and protect a
vital U.S. ally from the illicit nuclear program that has made North
Korea a world pariah.
The North Korean threat endangers the security and stability of close
and valued defense treaty allies, the R.O.K. and Japan.
The U.S. has met this challenge with security assurances, military
resources, deepened economic ties, and an effort to marshal the
opposition of the international community against a nuclear armed North
Korea.
We must continue to demonstrate the resolve to achieve a nuclear-
weapon-free Korean Peninsula.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 634, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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