Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea enjoy a comprehensive alliance partnership, founded in shared strategic interests and cemented by a commitment to democratic values; Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea work closely together to promote international peace and security, economic prosperity, human rights, and the rule of law; Whereas the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea goes as far back as Korea’s Chosun Dynasty, when the United States and Korea established diplomatic relations under the 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation; Whereas, on August 15, 1948, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, established on April 11, 1919, was dissolved and transitioned to the First Republic of Korea, the first independent government; Whereas United States military personnel have maintained a continuous presence on the Korean Peninsula since the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea (5 UST 2368) was signed at Washington on October 1, 1953; Whereas, on May 7, 2013, the United States and the Republic of Korea signed a Joint Declaration in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Alliance Between the Republic of Korea and the United States; Whereas 63 years ago the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between the United States and the Republic of Korea, with Protocol (8 UST 2217) was signed at Seoul on November 28, 1956; Whereas the economic relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea is deep and mutually beneficial to both countries; Whereas the Republic of Korea is the United States seventh-largest trading partner; Whereas the Republic of Korea is one of the fastest growing sources of foreign direct investment in the United States; Whereas the United States is the second largest source of foreign direct investment in the Republic of Korea