Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister Shin Won Sik invited the ambassadors of UNC Members

He emphasized close cooperation between Korea and the UNC Members as a core pillar for security on the Korean Peninsula

A consensus was formed to hold defense ministerial meetings on a regular basis

He presented a certificate of commendation to a retiring US Army colonel

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik gives a welcome speech at an event with ambassadors to Korea of the United Nations Command (UNC) Member States held at the MND Convention Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on April 5.

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik said, “If North Korea invades the Republic of Korea again, we will fight under one flag, one spirit,” and suggested that cooperation and solidarity between Korea and UNC member states should be continuously strengthened. He also asked for the cooperation and support of each member.

Minister Shin said this in a welcome speech at an event that invited ambassadors to Korea of UNC Member States, held at the MND Convention Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on April 5. He said, “Close cooperation with the UNC has become the core pillar for defending the security of the Korean Peninsula along with the ROK-US Alliance.”

He said, “The first ROK-UNC Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting last year confirmed the firm solidarity between Member States, and we pledged to jointly respond to the forces that threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

He went on to say, “Unlike during the Korean War, North Korea is now a member of the United Nations. If North Korea were to invade South Korea again, it would constitute a contradiction where a UN member attacks another member, and represent a serious betrayal of the United Nations and the international community.”

Minister Shin mentioned the importance of cooperation between friendly nations that share alliances and values, as demonstrated by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Defense Minister Shin added, “Our military will deter the North’s threats and maintain peace with three pillars: an overwhelming defense posture, a robust ROK-US alliance and solid cooperation with the UNC and its member states.”

The invitational meeting hosted by Minister Shin aimed to build a consensus for the continuation of the first ROK-UNC Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting in Seoul on November14, 2023 on a regular basis, and to develop the meeting as a linchpin for strengthening cooperation between Korea and UNC member states.

The event was attended by the ambassadors to Korea from 17 UNC member states, Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, Derek Macaulay, the Deputy Commander of the UNC, and Chung Byung-won, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban and UNC Deputy Commander Macaulay assessed the role of the UNC in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and UNC member states.

The ambassadors of the UNC member states shared the understanding that peace on the Korean Peninsula is closely related to regional and world peace, and pledged to work closely together.

At the event, Minister Shin and the participants jointly chanted a slogan, “Under one flag, one spirit, fight together for the freedom and peace on the Korean Peninsula!” to express the strong solidarity and determination of South Korea, the UNC, and the UNC member states.

Based on the consensus reached at the event, the Defense Ministry will specify the holding of the second ROK-UNC Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, Minister Shin presented a certificate of commendation for peace on the Korean Peninsula to US Colonel Burke Hamilton, who will retire after serving with the UNC and United States Forces Korea for 22 years.

Colonel Hamilton has supported the armistice management function of the UNC by serving as an assistant secretary to the UNC Military Armistice Commission from 2011 to 2013, and as a secretary to the UNC Military Armistice Commission since 2018.

By Ah-Mi, Cho <joajoa@dema.mil.kr>

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