Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Dist. 10) traveled to South Korea last week with a delegation from the village of Wheeling and the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago to discuss efforts to reunite North and South Korean relatives, as well as U.S.-South Korea trade issues.

Dold stressed the importance of U.S.-Korea trade relations and enhancing the economic and cultural relationship between District 10 and the Asian nation.

"As a small-business owner and the representative for the fourth-largest manufacturing district in the country, I understand how important it is to increase American trade; 96 percent of the world's customers live outside the United States,” Dold said. “International trade generates economic growth, new jobs and improves the quality of life for millions of people.”

Dold visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone to express his commitment to helping reunify families divided by the Korean War. Dold also asked for Korea's help to ensure that Korean-American families are involved in the reunification process moving forward.

“Not knowing anything about the life of a parent, sibling or child who lives only a short distance away is a sad truth for thousands of Koreans,” Dold said. “This is a human tragedy, and it should be treated as a human rights issue. It’s time we prioritize these reunification efforts so that these families can finally be at peace.”