#77 Two-Plus-Two Equals A First

[스티븐스 대사]

Greetings netizens.  July has been a busy month, and as it ends I want to tell you a little about what’s kept me especially busy.  On July 21 in Seoul we held the first “2+2” meeting between the Republic of Korea’s Foreign and Defense Ministers and the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense.  The United States has had 2+2 meetings before with other allies.  I attended one in Australia in 2006, and another with Japan the same year in Washington.  But the July 21 U.S.-Korea 2+2 was particularly significant. For one, it was the first time for our Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to have a joint meeting, either in Korea or the United States, with their Korean counterparts.  Moreover, the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command traveled to Korea to participate in the meeting.  So this was a special group gathered in Korea, at an important time.  And both Secretaries made time to do more than hold official meetings.  In particular, they came, along with their delegations, to mark the 60^th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, and to underscore that the United States and Korea are working together more closely than ever to contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity.

Defense Secretary Gates arrived in Korea first.  In fact, when a Korean journalist asked Secretary Gates whether he often stayed in one place for three nights, Secretary Gates replied that he thought Seoul might be the first place outside the United States he had stayed for three nights since becoming Secretary of Defense!  Among other things, Secretary Gates made a much-appreciated trip to Camp Casey, located in Gyeonggi Province, about 1.5 hours north of Seoul, to thank American troops for their service.   He also met with Minister of Defense Kim Tae-Young, before joining up with Secretary Clinton for a packed day on July 21, the official date of the “2+2.” 

The U.S. Secretaries and ROK Ministers just before commencement of the first ever 2+2 meeting

The first thing the two Secretaries did together was to drive north from Seoul, to the demilitarized zone. The drive took some time, but it was worth it.  Both Secretaries saw with their own eyes Korea’s remarkable development, driving along the Han River lined with high-rise buildings and, increasingly, green areas for recreation, and then further north into the lush hills and rice fields.

Upon reaching the DMZ area, the two secretaries stopped first at an Observation Post and then went on to Freedom House, located near Panmunjum.  Here they were joined by Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and Defense Minister Kim.  They were briefed on the Joint Security Area (JSA) and entered “T-2,” the conference building where the Armistice was negotiated. 

There was a lot of press following them at the JSA.  Here is what Secretary Clinton said to them about her impressions: 

“This is my first visit to the DMZ, to Freedom House, to the UN Armistice Headquarters. 

And as we were at the Observation Post looking out at what is a thin, 3-mile separation between the North and the South, it struck me that although it may be a thin line, these two places are worlds apart.

The Republic of Korea has made extraordinary progress.  It has leaders who care about the well-being of the people.  It has an economy that is growing and creating jobs and opportunities.  It has a commitment to common values of democracy and freedom. 

By contrast, the North has not only stagnated in isolation, but the people of the North have suffered for so many years.

I am grateful to the men and women from the Republic of Korea, the United States of America and the multinational force, who today are standing watch for freedom and who are in a long line of those who came before over the last 6 decades, who have helped to protect South Korea.

At the same time we continue to send a message to the North.  There is another way.  There is a way that can benefit the people of the North. 

But until they change direction, the United States stands firmly on behalf of the people and government of the Republic of Korea, where we provide a stalwart defense along with our allies and partners.” 

South Korean Chief of Defense Kim Tae-young, far right, South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, center, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, second right, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tour "T-2" as a North Korean soldier looks through the window in the Joint Security Area. July 21, 2010.
DoD photo by Cherie Cullen

Driving back to Seoul, the Secretaries and Ministers went directly to the War Memorial of Korea for a moving ceremony.  They laid a wreath in memory of those lost in the Korean War, and walked down the hallway lined with the names of the war dead.  They then also laid a wreath at the memorial to the 46 sailors lost in the sinking of the Cheonan.  The Secretaries witnessed and inspected an impressive honor guard ceremony, and enjoyed meeting a group of Americans – all grandchildren of Korean War veterans – visiting Korea at the invitation of the Korean government.  

Wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea 

Meeting with grandchildren of U.S. Korean War veterans

As she got into her car to depart the War Memorial, the Secretary saw and heard a group of young Americans shout, “We love you Hillary,” and “Thanks to you we are able to study here in Korea.”  Curious about this group of young fans, Secretary Clinton approached them and learned that they are in Korea studying Korean language on State Department scholarships.  Later that evening at dinner at the Blue House, the final event in a day full of both substantive and symbolic significance, Secretary Clinton mentioned this impromptu encounter to President Lee, saying, “Thirty years from now, maybe one of them will be U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.”   I hope she’s right.     

Secretary Clinton greets a group of young fans outside of the War Memorial of Korea 

A warm welcome by President Lee prior to dinner at Cheongwadae 

So on July 21, 2010, what did two-plus-two equal?  Well, it equaled another first in the ever-strengthening relationship between the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.  And it equaled a day when we remembered the sacrifices of the past as we resolved to deepen our work together to meet the challenges of the present.  I am particularly thankful to the Republic of Korea’s government and the Korean people for being such welcoming and gracious hosts.