Rep. Chung Dong-young (third from left, front row) of the Democratic Party of Korea; National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (fourth from left, front row); Rep. Ami Bera (fifth from left, front row), Democrat from California; and Rep. Andrea Salinas (sixth from left, front row), Democrat from Oregon, pose for a group photo along with other Korean and US lawmakers during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday. (The Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea)
Rep. Chung Dong-young (third from left, front row) of the Democratic Party of Korea; National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (fourth from left, front row); Rep. Ami Bera (fifth from left, front row), Democrat from California; and Rep. Andrea Salinas (sixth from left, front row), Democrat from Oregon, pose for a group photo along with other Korean and US lawmakers during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday. (The Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea)

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met Thursday with a delegation from the US Congress, the US Congressional Study Group on Korea, reaffirming bipartisan support for the South Korea-US alliance and discussing ways to deepen inter-parliamentary exchanges as well as strengthen economic and security cooperation.

During the meeting, Woo praised the alliance that has continued to evolve over the past 70 years, grounded in the core values of democracy.

“The alliance has expanded beyond the realms of security and economy to encompass science, technology, supply chains and even global affairs,” Woo said at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. “I believe the bipartisan support from both legislatures has played a vital role in this unprecedented expansion.”

He also thanked the US Congress for its expression of support for South Korean democracy and the alliance in December, following the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea continues to uphold order and overcome crises based on our Constitution and the rule of law,” he said.

Woo urged the US side to consider establishing a formal legislative body within Congress to correspond to Korea’s Korea-US Lawmakers' Alliance, launched on March 10. He also stressed the importance of high-level exchanges between the parliamentary leaders of both countries.

From left: Rep. Ami Bera (D-California), National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon) pose for a photo during a meeting between the South Korean National Assembly and the US Congressional Study Group on Korea at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday. (The Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea)
From left: Rep. Ami Bera (D-California), National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon) pose for a photo during a meeting between the South Korean National Assembly and the US Congressional Study Group on Korea at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday. (The Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea)

On economic issues, Woo highlighted South Korea’s role as one of the largest investors in the United States and its contribution to job creation. He also voiced concern over recent US policy changes, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act and tariff policies.

The US lawmakers responded by expressing pride in Korea’s adherence to democratic procedures amid recent political turbulence. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, they said the alliance would emerge stronger and saw potential for expanded cooperation in economic and security sectors, particularly shipbuilding.

The US delegation included Reps. Ami Bera, Salud Carbajal, Andrea Salinas and Dave Min of the Democratic Party, and Reps. Jennifer Kiggans, Ashley Hinson and Tim Moore of the Republican Party. From Korea, attendees included Reps. Chung Dong-young and Kim Young-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Rep. Cho Jung-hun of the People Power Party.


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