Congressional leaders invite South Korean president to deliver joint address
Ryan King
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Leaders from the House and the Senate invited South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress later this month.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) extended an invitation to Yoon to deliver remarks on April 27 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the alliance between America and South Korea.
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“With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the alliance between our two countries, it is an especially important time to reflect on the achievements of our partnership and to reaffirm our shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and global peace,” the congressional leaders wrote in a joint letter.
“The relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea is one of great importance and significance,” the legislators said.
Yoon’s office revealed that the leader has accepted the invitation. His speech is expected to cover topics such as economic cooperation and efforts to push back against North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Recently, a bipartisan team of lawmakers traveled to the Korean Demilitarized Zone. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) led the delegation to the site. There are currently around 28,000 U.S. service members stationed across South Korea.
Back in the 1950s, the U.S. intervened in the Korean War, effectively bringing it to a stalemate. In the time since, the two countries have fostered a deep alliance.
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The invitation to Yoon comes amid heightened tensions with North Korea, which has ramped up its military weapons testing during the Biden administration. It also comes amid fraught relations with China. The Biden administration has seemingly sought to distance Seoul from Beijing.
Congress is now in recess but is expected to reconvene on April 17. Last year, a joint session sat for remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.