[South Korea-US Summit]
Yoon: "Key Venue for Joint US-ROK Response to North Korea's Nuclear and Missile Threats"
Biden: "ROK-US Alliance Important Not Only for Korean Peninsula but Also for Global Peace"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden visited the Korea Air and Space Operations Center (KAOC) at the U.S. Air Force base in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, on the 22nd to encourage the efforts of South Korean and U.S. troops and emphasize the importance of strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
President Yoon accompanied President Biden on the visit to the KAOC at Osan Air Base, the final schedule of Biden's visit to Korea that afternoon. South Korea's Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, Presidential Security Office Director of National Security Kim Sung-han, and First Deputy Director of National Security Kim Tae-hyo accompanied the visit. On the U.S. side, General LaCamera, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, and Lieutenant General Scott Pleus were present.
President Yoon and President Biden arrived at the air base around 1:52 p.m., encouraged the troops, and received an operational briefing together. First, in his encouragement speech, President Biden expressed gratitude for the efforts of the troops who have upheld the long-standing South Korea-U.S. alliance. He said, "(You all) are those who carry out such precious missions on the front lines, and I am very pleased that the two countries innovate and coordinate here to accomplish important tasks. As you know, the alliance between our two countries was forged through sacrifices during the war long ago, and even after 70 years, thanks to the service of excellent troops like you, the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance continues to be maintained," he emphasized.
He continued, "Coordination and integration between the two countries are very important goals not only in the past but also now. And maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula amid various threats, as well as regional stability, is an important part not only for the Korean Peninsula but also for world peace."
President Yoon also said, "(The troops of the Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command and the U.S. 7th Air Force Command) are all friends. Since U.S. troops serve far away from their beloved families and friends in a foreign country, our troops should treat them even more closely," and added, "Your friendship and camaraderie are the strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance."
President Yoon emphasized the historical and geographical importance of Osan U.S. Air Force Base. He explained, "Osan Base is where the communist forces invaded on June 25, 1950, and five days later, President Truman ordered the deployment of U.S. troops. The Swiss unit came here first and engaged in combat with the communists," adding, "This is the place near Osan where the U.S. military first shed blood for the freedom of the Republic of Korea, and after the outbreak, the U.S. Air Force operated the base."
He also stated, "The Osan headquarters is a key location where South Korea and the U.S. jointly respond to the increasingly sophisticated North Korean nuclear missile threats and symbolizes the South Korea-U.S. alliance," and expressed, "The fact that President Biden and I met you all and visited this unit together symbolizes the strong security alliance between South Korea and the U.S."
President Yoon and President Biden concluded their visit to the KAOC around 2:25 p.m. and exchanged farewells. The Presidential Office spokesperson said, "When President Biden's vehicle departed, the two leaders gave each other a 'thumbs up' greeting." After completing his three-day, two-night visit to Korea, President Biden encouraged the U.S. troops at Osan Air Base and then departed for Japan, escorted by Foreign Minister Park Jin.
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