Sec. 1255. SENSE OF CONGRESS REAFFIRMING SECURITY COMMITMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA AND TRILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, AND SOUTH KOREA

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## SEC. 1255 SENSE OF CONGRESS REAFFIRMING SECURITY COMMITMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA AND TRILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, AND SOUTH KOREA It is the sense of Congress that— ####

(1)the United States values its alliances with the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea, based on shared values of democracy, the rule of law, free and open markets, and respect for human rights; ####

(2)the United States reaffirms its commitment to these alliances with Japan and South Korea, which are cornerstones for the preservation of peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and throughout the world; ####

(3)the United States recognizes the substantial financial commitments of Japan and South Korea to the maintenance of United States forces in these countries, making them among the most significant burden-sharing partners of the United States; ####

(4)the United States, South Korea, and Japan are indispensable partners in tackling global challenges, including combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, preventing piracy, assisting the victims of conflict and disaster worldwide, safeguarding maritime security, and ensuring freedom of navigation, commerce, and overflight in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region; ####

(5)the United States reaffirms its commitment to Article V of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States of America and Japan, which applies to the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands; ####

(6)although the United States Government does not take a position on sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands, the United States acknowledges that the islands are under the administration of Japan and opposes any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine their administration by Japan, and any such unilateral actions of a third party will not affect United States’ acknowledgement of the administration of Japan over the Senkaku Islands; ####

(7)the United States supports continued strengthening of defense cooperation with Japan in accordance with the 2015 U.S.-Japan Defense Guidelines and additional measures to strengthen this defense cooperation, including by expanding foreign military sales, establishing new cooperative technology development programs, increasing military exercises, or other actions as appropriate; ####

(8)the United States and South Korea share deep concerns that the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of North Korea and its repeated provocations pose great threats to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and the United States recognizes that South Korea has made important commitments to the bilateral security alliance, including by hosting a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system; ####

(9)the United States and South Korea should continue further defense cooperation, by enhancing mutual security based on the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea and investing in capabilities critical to the combined defense; ####

(10)the United States should closely consult and coordinate with South Korea on measures to strengthen the alliance and defend against provocations committed by the North Korean regime; ####

(11)the United States welcomes greater security cooperation with, and among, Japan and South Korea to promote mutual interests and address shared concerns, including the bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact between Japan and South Korea, signed on November 23, 2016, and the trilateral intelligence sharing agreement between the United States, Japan, and South Korea, signed on December 29, 2015; and ####

(12)recognizing that North Korea poses a threat to each of the United States, Japan, and South Korea, and that the security of the three countries is intertwined, the United States welcomes and encourages deeper trilateral defense coordination and cooperation, including through expanded exercises, training, and information sharing that strengthens integration.