H.R. 3429 — US-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act

This section states the sense of Congress that the United States should strengthen trilateral cooperation with Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including by building on the Camp David summit of August 18, 2023; enhancing maritime security cooperation and efforts to counter foreign information manipulation; ensuring regular trilateral leaders' summits; and establishing a regular U.S.-Japan-ROK inter-parliamentary dialogue modeled on existing bilateral groups.

This section directs the Secretary of State, not later than 180 days after enactment and in consultation with Congress, to negotiate a written agreement with the governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to establish a US-Japan-ROK Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue for closer cooperation on shared interests and values. Upon execution of such an agreement, the section establishes a United States Group of no more than 8 Members of Congress to represent the United States, with two members appointed by each of the Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader (at least one per party from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs or Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, as applicable); appointments serve two-year terms. The Group must meet annually (in person in the United States or another country when Congress is not in session, or virtually) with parliamentary representatives from Japan and the ROK (and any other mutually agreed country); rotates Chairperson and Vice Chairperson between House and Senate delegations every two years (with designations from relevant foreign affairs committee members based on odd- or even-numbered Congresses, serving one Congress); may accept private gifts or donations subject to ethics committee approval; deems the relevant House or Senate chair's certification conclusive for expenditure audits; and must submit annual reports on expenditures to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.