Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Minister of National Defense meets with US veterans via video link: "I want to express the highest respect to the veterans who defended freedom and peace of the ROK”

During his visit to the US, Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo had video meetings with Korean War veterans in a veterans' nursing home in the US;

He and his US counterpart Esper visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial and offered flowers

During a visit to the United States (US) for talks with his US counterpart, Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo expressed his determination to contribute to global peace and prosperity by working to develop the relationship between the　Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (US) into a “great alliance.

” On the morning of Monday February 24 (local time), Jeong emphasized this determination, expressing his respect and gratitude to the veterans of the Korean War in a veterans nursing home in the US via video links.

Jeong was supposed to visit the veterans' nursing home in person. An official from the ministry explained that the decision was made for him to meet with the veterans in the veterans nursing home via video link in consideration of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation in the ROK.

“On behalf of the government and the people of the ROK, I express the highest respect to the veterans of the Korean War, who sacrificed themselves while in the flower of their youth to defend the freedom and peace of the ROK in a crisis – like sitting on a barrel of gunpowder,” Jeong said. “Significantly, I express my gratitude to the senior veterans who did their best to perform their duties together with Korean soldiers, as members of the US Forces in the ROK, serving as the symbol of a firm ROK-US alliance and the linchpin of a combined defense posture,” adding, “The period of peace and prosperity which the people of the ROK are now enjoying is thanks to your sacrifices and devotions.” The minister went on to say: “You are proud and honorable heroes who helped the ROK acquire the precious and incomparable values of liberal democracy, peace and prosperity.”

“I think the most sincere way to respond to your devotions is to build and maintain a “peace on the Korean Peninsula” that is free from wars to ensure that the sad history of the past is not repeated. With regard to the ROK-US alliance, which you built the foundation for, our two countries will continue together as “great allies” in a reciprocal and forward-looking way to contribute to global peace and prosperity,” Jeong stressed. He asked Stephen Rippe, director of the veterans nursing home, to help the veterans stay healthy and at ease.

Later in the day, Jeong and Esper visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and offered flowers. This was the first time that defense ministers of the two countries have offered flowers together at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

“Marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, the offering of flowers by defense ministers of the two countries is a gesture that further enhances the value of the ROK-US alliance. The attendance of Korean War veterans, members of a veterans association, and chief defense officials from the two countries adds to its significance,” an official from the ministry said.

After offering flowers, Jeong expressed his gratitude to the veterans on behalf of the people of the ROK, emphasizing that he would forever remember their noble sacrifices and devotions.

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