Delegation Led by Ros-Lehtinen Meets with U.S. Troops in Korea, Visits DMZ

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with the other Members of a Congressional Delegation she is leading to Taiwan and South Korea, met earlier today with U.S. troops at United States Army Garrison Yongsan, in Seoul, South Korea. Later, the delegation, which also includes U.S. Reps. Dan Burton (R-IN), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Brad Miller (D-NC) and Jean Schmidt (R-OH), visited the de-militarized zone (DMZ).

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

"As civilians, we often do not have the chance to witness first-hand the courage and dedication of our men and women in uniform. I had the privilege today to meet these brave individuals who embody the true spirit of America, and who defend our country and our national interests on the Korean peninsula and around the world.

"The men and women who serve here in Korea have vowed to protect our allies from aggression by the enemies of freedom and democracy. The North Korean regime that continually tramples on human rights and stages countless acts of provocation against its peaceful neighbor is just a short distance from our brave troops who defend those freedoms that the Pyongyang regime hates.

"We must remember to thank our troops every day for defending our nation from the evil which exists in the world. Looking across the border into North Korea and witnessing the paranoid activities of North Korean soldiers just feet away was an eerie reminder that freedom is not guaranteed. It is the sacrifices of the men and women in our Armed Forces which have won, defended, and continue to preserve our freedom. I am honored to meet them and thank them for their service."

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