Parliamentary leader thanks U.S. Congress for Korean War veterans act

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o
expressed his gratitude Tuesday to a visiting U.S. congressional delegation for
introducing the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act.

Rep. Howard Berman, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, is on a
three-day trip here from Monday, leading a seven-member delegation, including Eni
Faleomavaega, chairman of the subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global
Environment, and Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA), who co-sponsored the act.
The legislation, signed by President Barack Obama last month, commemorates Korean
War Armistice Day by displaying the national flag at half-staff on July 27, the
anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the three-year war in
1953.
"I expect your ongoing regional tour to contribute to bolstering ties between the
U.S. and Asian countries," Kim told Berman at the start of their meeting at the
National Assembly.
Kim also delivered a message of thanks to Congress for the legislation, saying it
would help strengthen the Seoul-Washington alliance that dates back to the Korean
War.
In response, Berman said he was grateful for the hospitality and that he had
looked forward to visiting South Korea.
Berman and the other visiting representatives plan to meet President Lee
Myung-bak and Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan later in the day to talk about a
broad range of pending alliance and North Korean issues, South Korean officials
said.
The congressmen's visit here is primarily a part of routine diplomatic activity
during the summer break in Congress, they added.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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