Statement of Representative Ed Royce
Asia Subcommittee Hearing: "A New Beginning for the U.S.-South Korea Strategic Alliance"
Washington,
Apr 23, 2008 -
I thank the Chair for holding this hearing, coming on the heels of President Lee Myung-bak's historic visit. The atmosphere surrounding the President's visit was indeed one of a "new beginning," as today’s hearing title suggests.
Close U.S.-South Korean relations will be key in managing the challenges and opportunities in Northeast Asia. Of course, the biggest opportunity in front of us is a chance to increase trade between our two countries by $20 billion - a 25 percent increase. Passage of KORUS is central to the U.S.-Korea strategic alliance. When I traveled to Korea last year, KORUS was all any of our colleagues in the National Assembly wanted to discuss.
My colleagues on the other side often lament America’s standing in the world, emphasizing "soft power." But when it comes to trade, these words ring hollow. For these agreements are the classic form of soft power, propelling a transformation in bilateral relations. So I hope we do listen, as our Korean allies are stressing the importance of KORUS. Its defeat would be a commercial loss for us and a sign of U.S. retreat from northeast Asia.
Congress could give a boost to our strategic alliance by passing legislation I have introduced that would upgrade Korea’s military procurement status in U.S. law. I thank the Deputy Assistant Secretary for his strong statement of support for this legislation today and ask unanimous consent that a letter from Secretary of State Rice to the Committee in support of H.R. 5443 be inserted into the record. I appreciate the Chairman's and Ranking Member's support of this initiative.
Of course, the central challenge in the region is North Korea. We need the strong backing and coordination of all our democratic allies in Northeast Asia if we are to make progress. Yet, we are moving the goal posts in the Six Party Talks -- in North Korea's favor. Success can't be built on compromised principles with an opaque regime that has shown only a desire to extract concessions from the United States. An actual declaration from the North Koreans on all aspects of is nuclear programs would have been a signal that the regime is serious about giving up its weapons, not just buying time and trying to extort aid. Despite the Administration's optimism, we are not near to that point yet.
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