According to the U.S. Congress website, the House unanimously approved the "U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act" (H.R.3429) during a full session on June 8.
The bill aims to create a dialogue framework among the three nations' legislatures to enhance cooperation based on shared interests and values.
The legislation was introduced by Representative Ami Bera (D-California), the Democratic chair of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on May 15 of last year.
After passing the House Foreign Affairs Committee with 47 votes in favor and 3 against on July 22 last year, the bill took nearly a year to reach the House floor. It still requires Senate approval and the President's signature to become law.
A key provision of the bill mandates the U.S. State Department to negotiate with the governments of South Korea and Japan, in consultation with Congress, to reach a written agreement for establishing the "U.S.-Japan-ROK legislative dialogue."
The bill specifies that "within 180 days of the enactment of this law, the Secretary of State shall initiate negotiations with the governments of Japan and South Korea to reach a written agreement aimed at establishing a dialogue among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to promote closer cooperation on shared interests and values."
The U.S. delegation will consist of no more than eight members of Congress. The Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader will each appoint two House members, while the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader will each appoint two Senators. The delegation will serve a term of two years.
Additionally, the U.S. delegation is expected to meet with legislative representatives and relevant personnel from Japan and South Korea at least once a year. Meetings may be held in the U.S. or in another country when Congress is not in session, and virtual meetings are also permitted.
The bill also includes provisions for the three countries to jointly respond to foreign information manipulation and interference to protect democratic institutions and ensure accurate information sharing.
In a press release on June 9, Representative Bera stated that the bill reflects commitments made during the trilateral summit at Camp David in August 2023 and emphasizes the role of Congress in transitioning these commitments into sustained policy and institutional cooperation.
"Diplomacy is at the heart of peace," he said, adding that "the U.S., Japan, and South Korea are stronger when they work together to advance shared interests and address common challenges." He further noted that the bill would strengthen inter-legislative exchanges and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to its closest allies in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to the long-term sustainability of trilateral cooperation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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