distinguished members of this Assembly, ladies and

gentlemen: Thank you for the extraordinary

privilege to speak in this great chamber and to

address your people on behalf of the people of

the United States of America.

In our short time in your country, Melania and I

have been awed by its ancient and modern

wonders, and we are deeply moved by the warmth of

your welcome.

Last night, President and Mrs. Moon showed us

incredible hospitality in a beautiful reception at

the Blue House.

We had productive discussions on increasing

military cooperation and improving the trade

relationship between our nations on the principle

of fairness and reciprocity.

Through this entire visit, it has been both our

pleasure and our honor to create and celebrate a

long friendship between the United States and the

Republic of Korea.

This alliance between our nations was forged in the

crucible of war, and strengthened

by the trials of history.

From the Inchon landings to Pork Chop Hill,

American and South Korean soldiers have fought

together, sacrificed together, and triumphed together.

Almost 67 years ago, in the spring of 1951, they

recaptured what remained of this city where we are

gathered so proudly today.

It was the second time in a year that our combined

forces took on steep casualties to retake this

capital from the communists.

Over the next weeks and months, the men soldiered

through steep mountains and bloody, bloody battles.

Driven back at times, they willed their way north to

form the line that today divides the oppressed

and the free.

And there, American and South Korean troops have

remained together holding that line

for nearly seven decades.

(Applause)

By the time the armistice was signed in

1953, more than 36,000 Americans had died in the Korean War,

with more than 100,000 others very badly wounded.

They are heroes, and we honor them.

We also honor and remember the terrible price the

people of your country paid for their freedom.

You lost hundreds of thousands of brave

soldiers and countless innocent civilians

in that gruesome war.

Much of this great city of Seoul was reduced to rubble.

Large portions of the country were scarred --

severely, severely hurt -- by this horrible war.

The economy of this nation was demolished.

But as the entire world knows, over the next two

generations something miraculous happened on the

southern half of this peninsula.

Family by family, city by city, the people of South

Korea built this country into what is today one of

the great nations of the world.

And I congratulate you.

(Applause)

In less than one lifetime, South Korea

climbed from total devastation to among

the wealthiest nations on Earth.

Today, your economy is more than 350 times larger

than what it was in 1960.

Trade has increased 1,900 times.

Life expectancy has risen from just 53 years to more

than 82 years today.

Like Korea, and since my election exactly one year

ago today, I celebrate with you.

(Applause)

The United States is going through

something of a miracle itself.

Our stock market is at an all-time high.

Unemployment is at a 17-year low.

We are defeating ISIS.

We are strengthening our judiciary, including a

brilliant Supreme Court justice, and on, and on, and on.

Currently stationed in the vicinity of this peninsula

are the three largest aircraft carriers in the

world loaded to the maximum with magnificent

F-35 and F-18 fighter jets.

In addition, we have nuclear submarines

appropriately positioned.

The United States, under my administration, is

completely rebuilding its military and is spending

hundreds of billions of dollars to the newest and

finest military equipment anywhere in the world

being built, right now.

I want peace through strength.

(Applause)

We are helping the Republic of Korea far

beyond what any other country has ever done.

And, in the end, we will work things out far better

than anybody understands or can even appreciate.

I know that the Republic of Korea, which has become

a tremendously successful nation, will be a faithful

ally of the United States very long into the future.

(Applause)

What you have built is truly an inspiration.

Your economic transformation was linked

to a political one.

The proud, sovereign, and independent people of your

nation demanded the right to govern themselves.

You secured free parliamentary elections in

1988, the same year you hosted your first Olympics.

Soon after, you elected your first civilian president

in more than three decades.

And when the Republic you won faced financial

crisis, you lined up by the millions to give your

most prized possessions --

your wedding rings, heirlooms, and gold "luck keys" --

to restore the promise of a better future for your children.

(Applause)

Your wealth is measured in more than

money -- it is measured in achievements of the mind

and achievements of spirit.

Over the last several decades, your scientists

of engineers -- have engineered so many

magnificent things.

You've pushed the boundaries of technology,

pioneered miraculous medical treatments, and

emerged as leaders in unlocking

the mysteries of our universe.

Korean authors penned roughly 40,000 books this year.

Korean musicians fill concert halls

all around the world.

Young Korean students graduate from college at

the highest rates of any country.

And Korean golfers are some of the best on Earth.

(Applause)

In fact -- and you know what I'm going to say --

the Women's U.S. Open was held this year

at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey,

and it just happened to be won

by a great Korean golfer, Sung-hyun Park.

An eighth of the top 10 players were from Korea.

And the top four golfers -- one, two, three, four

-- the top four were from Korea.

Congratulations.

(Applause)

Congratulations.

And that's something.

That is really something.

Here in Seoul, architectural wonders like

the Sixty-Three Building and the Lotte World Tower --

very beautiful -- grace the sky and house the

workers of many growing industries.

citizens now help to feed the hungry, fight

terrorism, and solve problems all over the world.

And in a few months, you will host the world and

you will do a magnificent job at the 23rd Olympic Winter Games.

Good luck.

(Applause)

The Korean miracle extends exactly as

far as the armies of free nations advanced in 1953 --

24 miles to the north.

There, it stops; it all comes to an end.

Dead stop.

The flourishing ends, and the prison state of North

Korea sadly begins.

Workers in North Korea labor grueling hours in

unbearable conditions for almost no pay.

Recently, the entire working population was

ordered to work for 70 days straight, or else pay

for a day of rest.

Families live in homes without plumbing, and

fewer than half have electricity.

Parents bribe teachers in hopes of saving their sons

and daughters from forced labor.

More than a million North Koreans died of famine in

the 1990s, and more continue to die of hunger today.

Among children under the age of five, nearly 30