Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

He encouraged commanders of units deployed overseas on a video call

He also appreciated the efforts of medical service staff by visiting the Armed Forces Capital Hospital

Minister Kim had his first phone conversation with the U.S. Secretary of Defense since his inauguration

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun (second from right) visits the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do on September 16 during the Chuseok holiday and inspects emergency treatment readiness.

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun encouraged overseas troops serving Korea far away, the military medical staff maintaining emergency treatment readiness and hospitalized soldiers despite the Chuseok holiday.

On September 17, the Chuseok holiday, Minister Kim held a video conference with the commanders of the overseas Cheonghae, Ahk, Dongmyeong and Hanbit units. In a conversation with Navy Colonel Choi Jong-su, commander of the Cheonghae Unit, Minister Kim said, “I am proud of the members of the Cheonghae unit who are raising the status of the Republic of Korea in the international maritime security scene,” and urged, “Despite challenging conditions, maintain the tradition of the Cheonghae unit what achieved victory in Operation Dawn in the Gulf of Aden in 2011.”

He congratulated and encouraged Colonel Park Chang-jin, the commander of the Akh unit, on the success of the recent combined High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) training with the UAE military, saying, “The successful activities of the Akh unit have contributed significantly to consolidating the foundation of bilateral defense cooperation.”

Addressing Colonel Yu Jun-geun, commander of the Dongmyeong unit, Minister Kim said, “I thank the soldiers who are successfully carrying out missions in the midst of grave situations such as the armed conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah.”

In a conversation with Colonel Kwon Byeong-guk, commander of the Hanbit unit, he said, “I appreciate the efforts of the soldiers who have been praised by local residents for their dedicated support of reconstruction and humanitarian activities.”

Earlier, on the morning of September 16, Minister Kim visited the Armed Forces Capital Hospital to encourage the military medical staff and hospitalized soldiers who are maintaining emergency treatment readiness even during the consecutive holidays.

Minister Kim encouraged the medical staff in the hospital’s emergency room, saying, “I am proud of all of you who are dedicated to the mission of the armed forces, which is to protect people’s lives and property.”

He wished the hospitalized soldiers a full recovery and said, “We will ensure that your dedication and sacrifice for the defense of the Republic of Korea are fully rewarded and respected.” Before visiting the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, he held a teleconference meeting with the heads of military hospitals and stressed the need to take fast and advanced measures within the golden hour and maintain emergency treatment readiness.

Korea’s military maintained an emergency rescue and medical support posture during the government’s special transportation measure for the Chuseok holiday from September 13 to 18. The military supported civilian emergency rescue and emergency treatment such as hemoperitoneum emergency surgery, liver injury and fracture treatment, and hospitalization so that people could have a safe and happy holiday.

Meanwhile, on September 13, Minister Kim had his first telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III since taking office. The two officials highly appreciated the results Korea and the United States have achieved in strengthening the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and agreed that the level and scope of the alliance is deepening and expanding as a global comprehensive strategic alliance. In particular, Minister Kim emphasized a robust combined defense posture to respond to and deter North Korean threats.

Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and pledged to work closely to strengthen deterrence against the North.

The two officials also pledged to strengthen trilateral security cooperation to deter the North's advanced nuclear and missile threats.

They also agreed that the ROK-U.S. Alliance, which has been strengthened on the basis of nuclear capabilities, must be further developed through the NCG.

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>