Reps. Young Kim, Andy Kim, Colleagues Announce U.S.-ROK Interparliamentary Exchange

Press Release

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-39) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced the reestablishment of the United States -- Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange to strengthen ties between the legislatures of the United States and South Korea and advance our countries' shared priorities.

The US-ROK Interparliamentary Exchange consists of a U.S. delegation of bipartisan members of the House of Representatives and a South Korean delegation of National Assembly members.

Reps. Young Kim and Andy Kim will serve as co-chairs of the U.S. IPE, and be joined by a bipartisan group of House members, including Reps. Steve Chabot (OH-01), Ami Bera (CA-07), Michelle Steel (CA-48) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).

"South Korea is an important ally of the United States and a needed partner to present a united front to truly counter threats posed by the North Korean regime," said Congresswoman Young Kim. "As an immigrant from South Korea, one of the first Korean American women to serve in Congress and Vice Ranking Member of the Asia Subcommittee in Congress, I'm proud to revive the US-ROK Interparliamentary Exchange to promote an active dialogue between our two countries and advance our shared priorities."

"The U.S. -- ROK alliance is one built on common values and common goals; bringing members of our Congress and National Assembly closer together will help strengthen that alliance for years to come. I'm proud to work closely with my colleagues across parties and countries to promote peace, prosperity and security on the Korean Peninsula," said Congressman Andy Kim.

"As a longtime supporter of the U.S.-Republic of Korea relationship, I am pleased to join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with our counterparts in the National Assembly to reestablish the U.S.-ROK Interparliamentary Exchange. Our alliance is the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region. At a time of increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific and shared challenges posed by North Korea, it's critical that we maintain strong ties between the representatives of both of our great peoples. The IPE will foster these ties, and in doing so will further strengthen our enduring partnership," said Congressman Steve Chabot.

"The U.S.-ROK alliance, build upon our shared values of democracy and the rule of law, remains the linchpin of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," said Congressman Ami Bera. "As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I'm proud to join Members of Congress in launching the United States-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries."

"As a first-generation Korean American and one of the first Korean American women to ever serve in Congress, I am honored to join my bipartisan colleagues to form this important group in Congress. Together we can work on shared priorities, like advancing the growth freedom and democracy around the world. Strengthening this important alliance is very personal to me and I'm excited for our work together," said Congresswoman Michelle Steel.

"Building peace, prosperity, and security on the Korean Peninsula is going to require exactly the kind of active diplomacy supported by our newly-formed US-ROK Interparliamentary Exchange. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues in Congress and the South Korean delegation to advance our countries' mutual security, shared values, and common goals," said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland.