Our Defense Alliance Turns 60

[성김 대사]

On October 1, I was honored to join Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Minister of Defense Kim Kwan-jin in celebrating the 60th anniversary, or hwangap, of the signing of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty.  Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey, Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Locklear and their distinguished Korean counterparts also participated. 

With Secretary Hagel and Minister Kim in front of the Ministry of Defense

Secretary Hagel and his delegation were actually here for three whole days and their schedule included productive meetings with their counterparts and a courtesy call on President Park.  These discussions helped advance important alliance issues including wartime operational control (OPCON).

Secretary Hagel meets with President Park at the Blue House (Department of Defense photo)

Secretary Hagel and Minister Kim at the DMZ (Department of Defense photo)

The signing of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty coincides with Korea’s Armed Forces Day, and this year Secretary Hagel became the first U.S. Secretary of Defense to participate in those celebrations.  The day included demonstrations of South Korea’s defense capabilities, including a very impressive airshow and an amazingly choreographed taekwondo demonstration.

Parade and Taekwondo at the Armed Forces Day ceremony

The festivities included Alliance Night, a dinner and awards ceremony that President Park Geun-hye attended.  We were pleased to welcome a number of veterans and the grandsons of General Walton Harris Walker, the commander of the U.S. 8th Army in the early part of the Korean War.  His grandsons, retired U.S. Army Col. Walton H. Walker II and Army Lt. Col. Sam S. Walker II, were there to accept the General Paik Sun-yup Award on their family’s behalf for General Walker’s critical support and leadership during the Korean War.  The ceremony was a valuable reminder of the strong people-to-people bonds between the U.S. and Korea that span generations.

Secretary Hagel joins President Park in celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance at a state dinner.

Later in Secretary Hagel’s visit, he presided over the U.S. Forces Korea’s change of command ceremony.  I would like to join my Department of Defense colleagues in thanking General James Thurman for his wonderful contributions to the U.S.-Korea relationship.  It has been an honor to work with him, and I look forward to working with his successor, General Curtis Scaparrotti, whose wonderful reputation precedes him.

Outgoing Commander General of USFK James Thurman stands with incoming commanding general Curtis Scaparrotti at the change-of-command ceremony (Department of Defense photo)

Finally, one of the most meaningful parts of the alliance commemoration for me was a series of conversations I had with distinguished retired Korean military leaders as well as young Korean service members on the margins of the various festivities.  I heard from both groups very strong support for our alliance and deep commitment to U.S.-Korea affairs.  I am delighted and grateful that the special partnership between our two countries continues to enjoy robust support across generations.  

With retired Gen. Koh Myung-Seung, Gen. Lee Sang-Hoon, Admiral Kim Young Kwan, Gen. Kim Chang-Kyu, Lt. Gen. Gong Jung-Shik, and Gen. Park Se-hwan