SENATORS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION PLEDGING SOLIDARITY WITH SOUTH KOREA

WASHINGTON, DC – A bipartisan coalition of Senators introduced a resolution today expressing solidarity with South Korea after the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, a South Korean naval vessel that was destroyed by an external explosion on March 26, 2010. The resolution, introduced by Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), is cosponsored by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee; John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; John McCain (R-AZ), Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The resolution expresses the Senate’s sympathy for the families and loved ones of the 46 South Korean sailors who were killed or lost at sea in this tragic incident, and reiterates the enduring U.S. commitment to the alliance between South Korea and the United States. The resolution also urges the international community to fully support the South Korean-led international investigation into the Cheonan’s sinking, and to fully and faithfully implement all United Nations Security Council Resolutions pertaining to security on the Korean Peninsula.

“This is only a small gesture of the deep sympathy that all Americans feel in the wake of this tragic incident,” said Senator Lieberman. “The United States is unwavering in our commitment to the security of South Korea, and we will continue to closely follow the international investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan.”

“The people of both Koreas have lived too long under and tension and anxiety, and this incident is just the latest example,” Senator Levin said.  “This resolution puts the Senate on the record as calling on all parties to do their utmost to reduce tensions that could lead to even greater tragedy than the sinking of the Cheonan.”

“The Republic of Korea is one of America’s closest allies, and we support our Korean allies as they work to determine the cause of the horrific sinking of the Cheonan,” said Senator John McCain.  “This event serves as a reminder that the United States and Korea must continue to strengthen our alliance, and nothing would contribute more to that goal than swift passage of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.”

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