[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 707 Introduced in House (IH)]
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115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 707
Recognizing the growth and transformation of the Republic of Korea and
its significant contributions to the international community.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 19, 2018
Mr. Schneider submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
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RESOLUTION
Recognizing the growth and transformation of the Republic of Korea and
its significant contributions to the international community.
Whereas in 1995, after more than 40 years the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
successfully ended its reliance on international assistance and in 2000
was removed from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee recipient list;
Whereas after the Korean War, South Korea was the recipient of and relied on
official development assistance;
Whereas over time South Korea's economy grew and transformed, attracted foreign
investment, and promoted infrastructure and industrial development;
Whereas South Korea is now the world's 15th largest economy, the world's 6th
largest exporter, and the United States 6th largest trading partner;
Whereas the strong United States-South Korea alliance is based on shared values,
including democracy and human rights, economic prosperity, and mutual
strategic interests;
Whereas the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty remains a steadfast pillar of the United
States-South Korea alliance;
Whereas South Korea's remarkable democratic transition has resulted in 7
Presidential elections and 6 peaceful transitions of power since the new
constitution was adopted in 1987;
Whereas in 1987, South Korea established the Korea Economic Development
Cooperation Fund to support economic development in developing countries
through the provision of loan programs;
Whereas in 1991, South Korea established the Korea International Cooperation
Agency (KOICA) to administer foreign assistance, with a focus on
addressing poverty and sustainable socioeconomic growth throughout the
world;
Whereas in 1997, the International Vaccine Institute was established in Seoul as
an autonomous international organization under the Vienna Convention to
develop and deliver vaccines around the globe;
Whereas in 2009, South Korea formally created the World Friends Korea program,
which sends volunteers across the globe to assist developing countries,
connect different cultures, and increase international cooperation and
understanding;
Whereas in 2010, Korea joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee to
further its support for the international community and developing
nations;
Whereas in 2011, South Korea co-chaired the Group of Twenty (G20) Development
Working Group and facilitated implementation of the G20 Development
Agenda;
Whereas in 2015, South Korea joined the International Aid Transparency
Initiative to increase the effectiveness of its development assistance
programs;
Whereas in 2017, South Korea established the Global Disease Eradication Fund to
assist in the prevention and eradication of diseases in developing
countries;
Whereas in 2012, Incheon City was selected to host the Green Climate Fund (GCF),
a global fund to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions and combat climate change, and in 2013 its permanent
headquarters was established in Songdo;
Whereas South Korea has pledged $100 million to the GCF;
Whereas in 2016, South Korea became a signatory to the Paris Agreement to
fortify the international community's efforts to combat climate change;
Whereas South Korea's Nationally Determined Contribution per the Paris Agreement
is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent from the
``business-as-usual'' level by 2030;
Whereas in 1988, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in
Seoul;
Whereas in 2010, South Korea hosted the G20 Seoul Summit, leading to the
adoption of the Seoul Action Plan to create stable economies and foster
global economic growth;
Whereas in 2011, South Korea hosted the OECD's Fourth High Level Forum on Aid
Effectiveness (HLF-4), where participants discussed improving the
effectiveness of foreign assistance and signed the Busan Partnership for
Effective Development Co-operation;
Whereas in 2015, South Korea hosted the OECD Committee for Scientific and
Technological Policy Ministerial-level meeting in Daejeon to discuss the
future of science and innovation;
Whereas in 2016, South Korea hosted the 10th Seoul Official Development
Assistance International Conference to discuss development assistance
programs and future areas to explore; and
Whereas in 2018, South Korea will host both the Winter Olympic and Paralympic
Games in Pyeongchang: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reaffirms the steadfast alliance between the United
States and Republic of Korea (South Korea);
(2) applauds South Korea and its people for its significant
contributions to the international community;
(3) encourages South Korea to continue its foreign
assistance programs and improving the lives of individuals
throughout the world; and
(4) provides its best wishes and support for a successful
Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang in 2018.
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