US House of Representatives to Present Resolution Strengthening the Korea-US Alliance in Plenary Session... Impact on Biden Administration

Representative Tam Suoji Leading the Agenda in the Plenary Session
Closest Current House Member to President-Elect Biden

▲Tam Suoji, Member of the National Assembly (left) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The U.S. House of Representatives has submitted a resolution to the plenary session aimed at further strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

According to Representative Tom Suozzi (Democrat, New York) on the 14th (local time), two resolutions related to the South Korea-U.S. alliance are scheduled to be presented at the House plenary session at 10 a.m. on the 18th.

At the plenary session, Representative Suozzi is expected to personally explain the resolution he submitted titled "The Importance of the South Korea-U.S. Alliance and the Contributions of Korean American Citizens."

The resolution defines the South Korea-U.S. alliance as an alliance that shares values such as democracy, free market economy, human rights, and the rule of law.

It also emphasized the phrase, "The U.S. House of Representatives recognizes that the South Korea-U.S. alliance plays an important role in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region."

Additionally, the resolution calls for further strengthening diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation with South Korea, as the alliance holds a significant position in advancing U.S. interests in the region.

In particular, regarding the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the U.S., which has faced difficulties since the Trump administration took office, the resolution pointed out that it should be concluded as a multi-year agreement with mutually acceptable terms.

Since Representative Suozzi, a Democrat who controls the House, submitted this resolution and the Republican Party also holds a positive stance, it is expected to be adopted at the plenary session on the 18th unless there are any surprises.

This resolution was also unanimously passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in March.

If the resolution related to the South Korea-U.S. alliance is approved in the Democrat-majority House, it is expected to have a considerable impact on setting the diplomatic agenda of the Joe Biden administration, which is scheduled to take office in January next year.

At the plenary session on the same day, along with Representative Suozzi’s resolution, another resolution titled "Transforming the South Korea-U.S. Alliance into a Mutually Beneficial Global Partnership" is also scheduled to be put to a vote.

Co-sponsored by Democrat Ami Bera and Republican Ted Yoho, this resolution highlighted that the South Korea-U.S. alliance plays an important role in peace and stability in Asia and the world in response to North Korea’s repeated threats.

It also included language stating that, as South Korea and the U.S. cooperated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of medicine and science.

If the resolution passes at the plenary session, Representative Suozzi plans to hold a press conference on the 19th to reiterate the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Representative Suozzi is known to be the closest current House member to President-elect Biden.

Kim Min-seon, a Democrat and a New York State delegate who assisted Representative Suozzi during the submission and voting process, explained, "The fact that this resolution is being submitted as soon as the House plenary session convenes after the presidential election means that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is that important," adding, "It also means that the power of the Korean American community in the U.S. has grown significantly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.