Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

"Korea-US Alliance stronger than ever, together for a new leap forward"

Contributed to U.S. Defense News by the Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo

Emphasized conditions of stable stations for the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea

Mentioned pending alliance-related issues, including command transfer

On December 3, Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo said that Korea and America will be working together to ensure new progress in their complementary and forward-looking 'great alliance' next year.

The contribution the Minister Jeong sent to the U.S. military-specialized media, Defence News, said "the power of the 70-year-long Korea-US alliance is stronger than ever.

"The Minister described the Korea-US alliance as "the most successful 'alliance' in the world" and described it as developing into a "powerful 'blood alliance'," emphasizing that the Republic of Korea is now, based on its world-class economy and national defense power, making a contribution to the national interests of its allies from a reciprocal position. He also explained, "We guaranteed stable station conditions for the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea by building the world-class Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, and are strengthening the Korea-US alliance and combined defense power through defense cost-sharing as well as combined training and exercise, overseas troops dispatching, purchase of high tech weapons, and more.

"Continuing, he added, "Many Korean and American soldiers are working together effectively and establishing a firm military readiness posture with a spirit of 'Fight Tonight'. After the command transfer is complete, we will develop the relations between the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, US Forces, Korea, and Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff in harmony with a spirit of mutual respect." His article also included an explanation of the Korea-US alliance. In connection with the transfer of wartime operational control, he stated: "This year, we have successfully finished a verification of Initial Operational Capability for the command transfer, and are pushing ahead with systematic and active verification of Final Operational Capability next year," adding that if the newly reinforced combined defense system is completed with command structure and organizations in the near future, the Korea-US alliance would be a very strong factor in bringing peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia regions. On the issue of defense cost-sharing, the Minister stated that the R.O.K. would find a way for both countries to enjoy a win-win situation based on firm trust, at a reasonable and equal level.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng <guns13@dema.mil.kr >

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