22-nation United Nations force, 36,574 members of the United States Armed Forces and 137,899 members of the South Korean military lost their lives during the three years of armed hostilities and brutal conflict in the Korean War. (4) On July 27, 1953, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Chinese People's Volunteers, and the United Nations signed an armistice agreement ceasing all hostilities in Korea and establishing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). (5) Since 1953, lawfully-deployed United States and United Nations forces have remained alongside their South Korean counterparts, continuing to protect and defend South Korea and deter aggression from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (6) As a lasting testament the blood and treasure lost during the Korean War and the strong and unwavering alliance built from the ashes of the conflict, the Korean War Memorial in Washington, District of Columbia, and the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, prominently display the following inscription: Our Nation honors her Sons and Daughters who answered the call to defend a Country they never knew and a people they never met. . (7) The United States maintains a robust, well-trained, and ready force of approximately 28,500 members of the Armed Forces in South Korea, and the presence of the members of the Armed Forces in South Korea demonstrates the continued resolve and support of the United States for the enduring United States-South Korean Alliance. (8) On December 22, 2017, Kim Jong-un stated, The rapid development of [North Korea's] nuclear force is now exerting big influence on the world political structure and strategic environment. . (9) On January 1, 2018, Kim Jong-un stated The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, and a nuclear button is always on my desk. This is reality, not a threat. This year we should focus on mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment. . (10) Despite 11 standalone United Nations Security Council resolutions against the