Political Quotes

“I thank Republic of Korea, ROK, President Park Geun-hye for her thought-provoking and heartfelt address on May 8 to a joint meeting of Congress. President Park is a testament to her nation's resilience. Like her country, she has courageously weathered difficulties and emerged as a strong leader on the global stage--her nation's first woman President. Her momentous visit to the United States came at an opportune time to underscore the solidarity and cooperation between our two countries. Our deep ties with the Korean people stretch back to Korea's Chosun Dynasty, when we established diplomatic relations in 1882. One hundred and thirty-one years later, we are expanding our relationship in new ways. This year we celebrate 60 years of the U.S.-ROK alliance, established in 1953 by our Mutual Defense Treaty. In Korean culture, which greatly respects its elders, the 60th birthday of a person's life, called a ``hwan-gap,'' holds great significance. It acknowledges the wisdom and maturity that a person attains by the peak of a productive life. And so, too, has the U.S.-Korea relationship proven fruitful and productive. Our relationship is more than a military alliance; it is a comprehensive partnership. Our people-to-people ties are strong; per capita, South Korea sends more students to the United States to study than any other industrialized country. We cooperate on counterterrorism efforts and on development assistance.…”