23 US House Representatives Send Letter to Biden Urging Declaration of End to War

Brad Sherman, U.S. Democratic Party Federal House Representative
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Twenty-three members of the U.S. House of Representatives delivered a letter urging a declaration to end the Korean War to U.S. President Joe Biden.

According to Yonhap News, 23 Democratic members of the House, including Representative Brad Sherman, delivered a letter calling for a swift end to the war and North Korea-U.S. dialogue to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Korean American voter group Korean American Political Action Committee (KAPAC) announced on the 8th (local time). The letter was reportedly delivered on the 5th.

In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers wrote, "We write with deep concern over the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula," and emphasized, "It is important that the United States continues efforts to promote peace between the South and the North and bring democracy to all people on the Korean Peninsula." While applauding the Biden administration’s support for the Singapore North Korea-U.S. agreement, they pointed out, "It has been a long time since the time to seek diplomatic solutions to ease tensions between the South and the North."

They also referred to President Moon Jae-in’s proposal for a declaration to end the war at the United Nations General Assembly last September, stating, "A declaration to end the war among South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S. is not a concession to North Korea. Rather, it is an important step toward peace that benefits the national interests of both the U.S. and its allies." They added, "To this end, we urge the U.S. administration and the Secretary of State to prioritize active diplomatic engagement with the South and the North, aiming for a binding peace agreement among South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S. that officially and finally ends the state of war."

The Democratic lawmakers also expressed concern, saying, "While North Korea’s nuclear weapons pose a threat to global peace and security, a perpetual state of war neither resolves this issue nor benefits the national interests of the U.S. and its allies," and warned, "Rather, the state of war makes progress on the nuclear issue even more difficult."

Signatories to the letter included Representative Sherman, as well as Korean American lawmakers Andy Kim, Tom Suozzi, Karen Bass, Carolyn Maloney, Grace Meng, and James McGovern.

Representative Sherman is the lead sponsor of the Korea Peace Act, introduced in May, which includes provisions for a declaration to end the war, the conclusion of a peace agreement, and the establishment of a North Korea-U.S. liaison office. The Korea Peace Act has the support signatures of 32 lawmakers.

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