Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

UN Command holds first-ever official press briefing since its foundation 

  
Question-and-answer session held by key officials including Deputy Commander Eyre; the UNC’s missions, formation and functions introduced in detail  
The UNC functions as a channel to maintain the ceasefire agreement in peacetime and continue the dialogue between North Korea and the world; supports the Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, including war troops and equipment  
“The UNC’s role will remain unchanged, even after the OPCON transfer” 

“The successful implementation of the inter-Korean military agreement is one of the top priorities of the United Nations Command (UNC). The UNC is working closely with Republic of Korea‘s Ministry of National Defense, day and night.”

This comment came from UNC Deputy Commander Canadian Lieutenant General Wayne Eyre, during a media event held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on April 18th that discussed the UNC’s missions, formation and functions. The event was the first-ever official press briefing since the UNC was founded in 1950 to play a core role in keeping peace and relieving tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The briefing was presided over by Deputy Commander Eyre on behalf of UNC Commander Robert Abrams. About 80 people, including the UNC’s high-level officials and reporters, attended the briefing. Officials present included UNC Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) Chief, Major General Shin Sang-beom, and senior members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) Swedish Major General Anders Grenstad, Swiss Major General Patrick Gosha and U.S. Army Colonel Burke Hamilton. Addressing the reason for holding the media day, Deputy Commander Eyre said, “Transparency is very important in democracy. It is definitely right to provide the people with information on the truth through media.” Describing the UNC’s missions, he added, “The UNC plays the role of a channel to maintain the ceasefire agreement in peacetime and continue a dialogue between North Korea and the world. In the event of a crisis or war, the UNC supports the combat forces, Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), by accommodating and controlling troops and equipment provided by the sending states.”

At the event, the UNC officials answered detailed questions about recent issues, including the North Korea-U.S. summit, details of the implementation of the inter-Korean military agreement, and measures to promote an atmosphere of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking specifically on the issue of the UNC’s future role or status after the wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer, Deputy Commander Eyer dismissed speculation that there would be changes. “We still support the future CFC with the UNC forces, whether it is an ROK or U.S. commander,” he stressed.

“The core of the ceasefire agreement is ceasing all hostile acts and preventing any imprudent buildup of military strength,” UNCMAC Chief Shin said. “Despite the difficulties caused by North Korea’s withdrawal from the UNCMAC in 1994, the UNC is still fulfilling its role of blocking hostile acts. Now the UNC is supervising the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, handling any violations, and acting as a channel to continue a dialogue between the two Koreas, as its core mission,” he added. The NNSC performs supervision, surveillance, observation and investigation on the ceasefire agreement in the capacity of a neutral nation. “For 66 years our work has been based only on the ceasefire agreement. During my time working in Republic of Korea, I have learned that Republic of Korean forces, U.S. forces and UNC sending states continue to perform defensive activities and maintain deterrence,” senior NNSC member Grenstad said. 

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

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