Recognizing the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and the transformation of the United States-South Korea alliance into a mutually beneficial, global partnership.

recognizes that the United States-South Korea alliance serves as the linchpin of regional stability and mutual security in Northeast Asia;

reiterates that the United States and South Korea share an enduring interest in the continued strength of the bilateral alliance, including deepening the military, diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the United States and South Korea, as well as broadening alliance cooperation to confront 21st century challenges, such as global health, the environment, and energy security;

emphasizes that the United States-South Korea alliance espouses shared democratic values and remains committed to human rights, the rule of law, and free market principles and therefore plays an expanding role in stability and security far beyond the Korean Peninsula;

reaffirms that the Governments of the United States and South Korea must pursue a coordinated policy of diplomatic engagement, economic pressure, and military deterrence to achieve peace and the denuclearization of North Korea;

emphasizes that United States Forces Korea (USFK) remains prepared in presence and disposition to counter any attempted third-party aggression or coercion, and relies on the vital contributions of the dedicated Korean national employees of USFK; and

reaffirms that the United States-South Korea alliance is a critical force to uphold the post-World War II liberal global order built by our two nations.