Senate Passes Webb Resolution Condemning North Korean Attack

December 3, 2010

The Senate late last night approved a resolution introduced by Senator Jim Webb, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, which condemned the attack by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea against the Republic of Korea and affirmed support for the United States-Republic of Korea alliance (S. Res. 693).

“This brazen attack is one in a series of actions by the Government of North Korea that undermine regional peace and security, especially on the Korean peninsula,” the resolution states. “The Senate calls on the international community, especially North Korea’s ally, China, to condemn this attack and enjoin the Government of North Korea to halt all nuclear activities.”

The bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Kit Bond (R-MO), James Inhofe (R-OK), Scott Brown (R-MA), Mark Begich (D-AK), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), James Risch (R-ID), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Bill Nelson (D-FL), George Voinovich (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Judd Gregg (R-NH), George LeMieux (R-FL), Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Robert Casey (D-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Richard Durbin (D-IL).

In addition to his more recent visits as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Webb has worked and traveled throughout this vast region for more than four decades, as a Marine Corps officer, a defense planner, a journalist, a novelist, a Department of Defense executive, and as a business consultant.

The full text of the resolution is below:

Title: Condemning the attack by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea against the Republic of Korea, and affirming support for the United States-Republic of Korea alliance.

Whereas Yeonpyeong Island is located in the Yellow Sea (West Sea) about 50 miles west of the city of Incheon and is inhabited by more than 1,000 citizens and military personnel from the Republic of Korea;

Whereas the United Nations Command established the Northern Limit Line in 1953, marking the line of military control between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea;

Whereas, on November 23, 2010, the Republic of Korea military conducted military exercises in the Yellow Sea (West Sea) on the southern side of the Northern Limit Line;

Whereas, on that day, North Korea military forces fired approximately 170 artillery shells at Yeonpyeong Island, resulting in military and civilian casualties, including the death of 2 marines and 2 civilians from the Republic of Korea;

Whereas North Korea’s shelling caused widespread damage to military installations and civilian property;

Whereas North Korea’s attack against South Korea infringes upon the commitments made in the Korean War Armistice Agreement of 1953 that oblige military commanders to “order and enforce a complete cessation of all hostilities in Korea by all armed forces under their control”;

Whereas this attack also violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 1695 (2006), which emphasizes the need for North Korea “to show restraint and refrain from any action that might aggravate tension, and to continue to work on the resolution of non-proliferation concerns through political and diplomatic efforts”;

Whereas this brazen attack is one in a series of actions by the Government of North Korea that undermine regional peace and security, especially on the Korean peninsula;

Whereas this attack follows the March 26, 2010, torpedo attack by the Government of North Korea against the Republic of Korea ship CHEONAN, which resulted in the death of 46 sailors from the Republic of Korea Navy;

Whereas this attack also follows the revelation that the Government of North Korea has constructed a uranium enrichment facility at the Yongbyon nuclear site in clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009);

Whereas this attack and the trend of continued provocation by the Government of North Korea reinforces the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the need for the United States to maintain a strong military presence in East Asia; and

Whereas this attack also signifies the importance of maintaining a strong bilateral economic, security, and cultural relationship with the Republic of Korea: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) condemns the attack by the Government of North Korea against the Republic of Korea in violation of the 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement;

(2) expresses its deep condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Korea, especially the families on Yeonpyeong Island who suffered from this attack and lost their loved ones;

(3) recognizes that maintaining peace on the Korean peninsula requires constant vigilance, and continues to stand with the people and the Government of the Republic of Korea in this time of crisis;

(4) calls on the international community, especially North Korea’s ally, China, to condemn this attack and enjoin the Government of North Korea to halt all nuclear activities in accord with United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009) and refrain from any further actions that may destabilize the Korean Peninsula;

(5) calls on the President to work with the Government of the Republic of Korea to take all necessary steps to deter further aggression by the Government of North Korea, in keeping with the security alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea;

(6) urges the Administration to continue a bilateral economic relationship with the Republic of Korea; and

(7) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its alliance with the Republic of Korea for the preservation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region.