Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister of National Defense meets with Korean War veterans in the US: “I would like to express my gratitude to the veterans for their sacrifice, and say that the Republic of Korea and the United States will continue to go together as great allies”

Minister of National Defense held an invitational event for the Korean War veterans in the US

Invited members of the Korea Defense Veterans Association
Exchanged ideas on how to further strengthen the ROK-US alliance 
 

After arriving in the United States (US) for talks with his US counterpart, Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo held an invitational event for veterans who had fought in the Korean War.

In the event held on Sunday afternoon, February 23 (local time), Jeong expressed his gratitude to the US veterans for their sacrifices. “You are true heroes who protected the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the people of the ROK in a crisis. The remarkable development of the ROK after the restoration of our war-torn country is thanks to your sacrifices,” Jeong said. “The ROK-US alliance achieved through your sacrifices and devotions has become a strong cornerstone of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for almost 70 years. I am sure that the ROK is moving toward complete denuclearization and the establishment of a lasting peace on the peninsula based on a firm ROK-US alliance and an iron-clad combined defense posture, and that our two countries will go together as ‘great allies’ that contribute to peace everywhere in the world, as well as on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia,” he emphasized.

“Many veterans have felt rewarded and realized the significance of their participation in the war by seeing the development of a liberal democracy and economic prosperity in the ROK. Even the fallen would not have thought of their death as useless,” replied Paul Cunningham, president of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA). Another participant, Fred Honaman, a first lieutenant in the Army Reserve, expressed his gratitude, reminding Jeong that they had sat together at the same table at a luncheon to celebrate Armed Forces Day, held in Cheong Wa Dae in 2018. “I would like to describe this meeting in Washington as evidence of the ROK’s unchanging remembrance of our veterans.

”The same day, Jeong also met with members of the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), including Walter Sharp, KDVA’s president and the former commander of US Forces in Korea, and exchanged ideas to further strengthen the ROK-US alliance. The KDVA is an organization designed to treat the US Forces in Korea with respect and promote friendly relations, and strengthen the ROK-US alliance, and is composed of members from the US Forces in Korea and the Korean Augmentation Troops to United States Army (KATUSA).

“This US visit has even greater significance, as it is taking place in the year of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. I want to express my gratitude to the members of the KDVA who devoted themselves to defending the security of the ROK serving on active duty as the US Forces in Korea, and who have been making efforts to strengthen the ROK-US alliance even after their military discharge,” Jeong said. Significantly, he assessed that the strong support from the veterans in reserve have led to an unprecedented strong ROK-US alliance. He presented Sharp with a plaque of appreciation.

“I am sure the ROK-US alliance will continue to become stronger,” Sharp said. “As the year 2020 is a meaningful year for the alliance, marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, we plan to push forward with a variety of activities to enhance the value of the ROK-US alliance and inspire the confidence of US Forces in Korea.”

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr>
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