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Resolution Number: 2003-A037
Title: Recognize Citizens Rights Affected by US-Korean Post-War Agreements
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America urge the United States government in its renegotiation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the Republic of Korea to give special attention to the rights of Korean citizens to equal treatment and legal redress of grievances and adequate compensation to victims of weapons practice and testing; pollution of the environment; personal abuse, especially of a violent or sexual nature; and other negative effects of U.S. military presence and activity; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church urge the U.S. government in all SOFA negotiations to recognize the rights of local people and assure their access to all mechanisms for redress of their grievances against U.S. military personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That the eventual goal be the phasing out of U.S. military bases in Korea.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 328.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #40 on Resolution A037 (Status of Forces Agreement with Korea) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A037)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America urge the United States government in its renegotiation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the Republic of Korea to give special attention to:

  1. The rights of Korean citizens to equal treatment and legal redress of grievances and adequate compensation to victims of weapons practice and testing; pollution of the environment; personal abuse, especially of a violent or sexual nature; and other deleterious effects of U.S. military presence and activity; and
  2. U.S. accountability for troops' misconduct and the right of victims to have U.S. troops tried in local courts, including the right to extradite personnel who have been removed from the host country; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church urge the U.S. government in all SOFA negotiations to recognize the rights of local people and assure their access to all mechanisms for redress of their grievances against U.S. military personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That the eventual goal be the phasing out of U.S. military bases in Korea.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America urge the United States government in its renegotiation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the Republic of Korea to give special attention to:

1.

The rights of Korean citizens to equal treatment and legal redress of grievances and adequate compensation to victims of weapons practice and testing; pollution of the environment; personal abuse, especially of a violent or sexual nature; and other deleterious effects of U.S. military presence and activity; and

2.

U.S. accountability for troops' misconduct and the right of victims to have U.S. troops tried in local courts, including the right to extradite personnel who have been removed from the host country;

to the rights of Korean citizens to equal treatment and legal redress of grievances and adequate compensation to victims of weapons practice and testing; pollution of the environment; personal abuse, especially of a violent or sexual nature; and other negative effects of U.S. military presence and activity; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church urge the U.S. government in all SOFA negotiations to recognize the rights of local people and assure their access to all mechanisms for redress of their grievances against U.S. military personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That the eventual goal be the phasing out of U.S. military bases in Korea.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #171)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #17 on HD Message #171 on Resolution A037 (Status of Forces Agreement with Korea) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #238)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 8.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 74th General Convention, 2003, pp. 96-103.
Abstract:   The 74th General Convention urges the U.S. government, when renegotiating the Status of Forces Agreement with Korea, to recognize the rights of Korean citizens for legal redress of their grievances against U.S. military personnel.