Resolution Calling for an End to the Korean War Gains Bipartisan Support
October 30, 2020
Posted in: Press Releases
Washington, DC—Today, a coalition of national organizations and a large network of grassroots activists supporting peace on the Korean Peninsula are celebrating a major accomplishment: There is now bipartisan support in Congress for a peace agreement with North Korea.
Yesterday, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona) announced his co-sponsorship of House Resolution 152, which calls for an end to the Korean War and a peace agreement. In doing so, Rep. Biggs has become the first Republican co-sponsor of this resolution, which now has 52 supporters (lead sponsor Rep. Ro Khanna and 51 co-sponsors), including a diverse array of Democratic Members. Of note, all of the contenders for the next chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — Reps. Brad Sherman, Joaquin Castro and Gregory Meeks — are also co-sponsors of this important resolution.
This milestone demonstrates that support is broadening for a bold new approach centered on peace and diplomacy rather than pressure and tensions. This year is especially significant because it marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, which never officially ended but was only halted by an armistice. Although talks between the US and North Korea have stalled, the upcoming election provides an opportunity for a new approach with North Korea that prioritizes ending the war and negotiating a peace agreement as a crucial step toward denuclearization.
“Bipartisan support for House Resolution 152 shows that a peace agreement is the most pragmatic and realistic approach to achieving goals such as denuclearization and improved human rights,” said Hyun Lee, US National Organizer for Women Cross DMZ.
“The emerging bipartisan support for House Resolution 152 shows that Congress (and others in Washington) are beginning to understand that past approaches to North Korea have failed; ending the 70 year-old Korean War is long-overdue and is a necessary step to transform all aspects of the conflict,” said Daniel Jasper, Asia Advocacy Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee.
“Lawmakers from both parties agree that officially ending the Korean War would help lower tensions in the region and make Americans safer,” commented Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director, Policy and Political Affairs for Peace Action.
“For too long, Washington has ignored the Korean War in its pursuit for building a peaceful Korean Peninsula. The next U.S. president should take the first step toward peace by declaring the Korean War over as part of a broad strategy toward de-escalating tensions with North Korea. As Rep. Biggs’ sponsorship shows, this is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue; it’s an American issue,” said Jessica Lee, Senior Research Fellow on East Asia at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
“This milestone of bipartisan Congressional support embraces the deep longing of the vast majority of Korean people on both sides of the divide to finally end the Korean War and formalize peace — a future Korean people cannot realize without U.S. support,” said Chris Rice, director of the Mennonite Central Committee United Nations Office, “After 70 years of division, it is time to give the Korean people agency to determine a peaceful future together.”
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