UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA SECURITY RELATION-SHIP AND OTHER SECURITY MATTERS IN EAST ASIA

SEC. 915. UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA SECURITY RELATION-SHIP AND OTHER SECURITY MATTERS IN EAST ASIA (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) Since the end of the Korean conflict, the Republic of Korea has made tremendous progress in rebuilding its economic and military strength. (2) Despite this progress, an indigenous military balance has not yet been achieved on the Korean peninsula, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to pose a serious threat to the security of the Republic of Korea. (3) The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has contributed greatly to the security of both countries. (4) The Republic of Korea has dedicated a large share of its national resources to its security, as shown by the fact that defense expenditures comprise approximately one-third of the national budget of the Republic of Korea. (5) The United States has contributed a large amount of national resources, including approximately 44,000 military personnel, to protecting the security interests that it shares with the Republic of Korea. (6) The presence of United States military personnel in the Republic of Korea contributes to the preservation of peace on the Korean peninsula, serves as a military deterrent, and is a tangible manifestation of the commitment of the United States to the defense of the Republic of Korea. (7) In accordance with its obligations under the 1954 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Republic of Korea, the United States remains committed to the security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Korea. (b) Sense of Congress on the United States-Republic of Korea Security Relationship.—(1) It is the sense of Congress that— (A) the United States should review the missions, force structure, and locations of its military forces in the Republic of Korea and East Asia; (B) the Republic of Korea should assume increased responsibility for its own security; (C) the Republic of Korea should offset more of the direct costs incurred by the United States in deploying military forces for the defense of the Republic of Korea; and (D) the United States and the Republic of Korea should consult on the feasibility and desirability of partial, gradual reductions of United States military forces in the Republic of Korea. (2) In order that Congress may determine whether further action is appropriate, not later than April 1, 1990, the President shall submit to the congressional committees described in subsection (d) an initial report on the status and results of any consultations held by the United States and the Republic of Korea on the matter referred to in paragraph (1)(D). (3) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to such congressional committees a second report on the status and results of the consultations referred to in paragraph (1)(D). (c) Report on Military Presence in East Asia.—(1) Not later than April 1, 1990, the President shall submit to the congressional 103 STAT. 1529committees described in subsection (d) a report on the military presence of the United States in East Asia, including the Republic of Korea. The President shall include in such report a strategic plan relating to the continued United States military presence in East Asia. (2) The report required by this subsection shall specifically include the following: (A) An assessment of the implications of recent developments in the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China for United States and allied security planning in East Asia. (B) Identification of any changes in the missions, force structure, and locations of United States forces in East Asia that could strengthen the capabilities of such forces and lower the costs of maintaining such forces. (C) A discussion of ways in which increased defense responsibilities and costs presently borne by the United States can be transferred to the allies of the United States in East Asia. (D) Identification of the additional actions that the Republic of Korea can take to contribute more to its own security. (E) A discussion of the feasibility of restructuring United States military forces stationed in Okinawa with the objective of improving civil-military relations and increasing United States training opportunities. (F) A discussion of the status and prospects of negotiations between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines on the continued use of United States military installations in the Republic of the Philippines. (G) An assessment of whether a requirement still exists for a regional security role for United States forces stationed in the Republic of Korea. (3) The report required by this subsection shall also include a five-year plan with respect to the United States military presence in the Republic of Korea, including a discussion of the feasibility and desirability of the following: (A) Partial, gradual reductions in the number of United States military personnel stationed in the Republic of Korea. (B) Larger offsets by the Republic of Korea for the direct costs incurred by the United States in deploying military forces in defense of the Republic of Korea. (C) The relocation of United States military personnel and facilities within the Republic of Korea that can be made to reduce friction between such personnel and the people of the Republic of Korea. (D) Changes in the United Nations and United States-Republic of Korea bilateral command arrangements that would facilitate a transfer of certain military missions and command to the Republic of Korea. (E) Confidence-building measures that could be promoted in northeast Asia to lessen tensions in the region. (F) Additional actions the Republic of Korea could take to assume more responsibility for its own security. (d) Congressional Committees To Receive Reports.— The congressional committees referred to in this section are the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.