1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “We Go Together Act ”.
We Go Together Act
A BILL
To strengthen the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and for other purposes.
2. Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
with respect to the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea—
“we go together” or “katchi kapshida” is an enduring motto inspired by the shared sacrifice of the United States and the Republic of Korea during the Korean War, reinforced by our shared values and reaffirmed each time the Republic of Korea has stood alongside the United States in the four major wars the United States has fought outside Korea since 1945;
a transactional view of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea is contrary to the spirit of “we go together”;
70 years since the start of the Korean War, as the People’s Republic of China escalates its aggressive behavior in maritime and air domains and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to enhance and test weapons that threaten regional peace and security, a new strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region has reinforced the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea;
the 2018 National Defense Strategy states that “the willingness of rivals to abandon aggression will depend on their perception of … the vitality of our alliances and partnerships”, and thus United States Government actions and public statements that undermine the United States relationship with the Republic of Korea harm United States national security and exacerbate risks to members of the Armed Forces and United States allies and partners; and
United States alliances and troop deployments should be based on shared principles and goals, not on the profit motive; and
with respect to nationals of the Republic of Korea who are employees of United States Forces Korea—
the United States Government should endeavor to avoid actions that negatively affect the welfare or well-being of such individuals;
as stated by the Commander of United States Forces Korea on March 31, 2020, the partial furlough of such individuals was “heartbreaking” and “in no way a reflection of their performance, dedication, or conduct”; and
the United States Government should work with the Government of the Republic of Korea to ensure that such individuals do not bear the burden of breakdowns in negotiations regarding defense cost-sharing.
3. Strengthening the Mutual Defense Treaty
In general— The President may not take any action to change United States policy with respect to the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, signed at Washington October 1, 1953 (5 UST 2368) unless, not later than 120 days before the President takes such an action, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State submit to the appropriate committees of Congress—
a detailed justification for such a change; and
a certification that—
such a change is in the national interest of the United States; and
an alternative diplomatic agreement or measure has been devised to replace any lost capacity or benefits resulting from such a change, including—
the benefits to United States national security and regional security derived from the presence of the United States Armed Forces in the Republic of Korea;
the nuclear nonproliferation benefits derived from extended deterrence enhanced by the stationing of members of the United States Armed Forces in the Republic of Korea;
the contributions of the Republic of Korea in—
countering illegitimate coercion and debt diplomacy;
promoting human rights;
promoting freedom of navigation and maritime security;
protecting the environment;
improving global health; and
assisting the victims of conflict and disaster;
the cooperation of the Republic of Korea with respect to United States efforts to enforce existing United Nations Security Council sanctions with respect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;
the diplomatic support of the Republic of Korea for negotiations to implement the commitments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the 2018 Singapore Summit; and
the value of United States trade with the Republic of Korea.
Form— The justification and certification required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
Appropriate committees of Congress defined— In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.