Hoeven Statement on South Korean President’s Address to Congress

Senator Met with South Korean Officials on Defense, Trade in Seoul; Visited DMZ Earlier this Month

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress. Hoeven traveled to Seoul and the demilitarized zone (DMZ) two weeks ago to meet with South Korean government, military and agriculture leaders to strengthen military and agriculture trade ties with South Korea.

“President Yoon outlined the importance of the 70-year alliance between the United States and South Korea,” said Hoeven. “This relationship with a fellow democracy is critically important to preserving peace in the Pacific. We have been allies, partners and friends with South Korea since 1953, and we look forward to continuing close diplomatic, economic and military relations.  We particularly welcome President’s Yoon call for greater security cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan which is key to deterring conflict and maintaining regional stability.”

While in South Korea, Hoeven met with various defense and military leaders to strengthen security cooperation with South Korea and traveled to the DMZ to see firsthand the joint security zone. As the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, the senator also met with officials on agriculture and trade as South Korea is the largest export market for U.S. beef and beef products, the second largest market for U.S. soybean exports and the fourth largest market for U.S. wheat exports. 

Additionally, this week, the Senate passed a resolution that Hoeven helped introduce that reaffirms the United States’ alliance with South Korea. 

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