Yoon Visits U.S. Indo-Pacific Command... First Sitting President Visit in 29 Years

"Firm Alliance Defense Posture Essential"

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers an encouragement speech to the troops during his visit to the Indo-Pacific Command at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii, USA, on the 9th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 9th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indo-Pacific Command, INDOPACOM) located in Hawaii. This is the first visit by a South Korean president since the command was renamed Indo-Pacific Command in May 2018. In 1995, former President Kim Young-sam visited the then Pacific Command, making this the first visit by a sitting president in 29 years.

INDOPACOM is responsible for the largest area among the six regional unified combatant commands, covering approximately 100 million square miles, which is about 52% of the Earth's total surface area, including the northern, southern, Indo-Pacific, European, central, and African regions. It plays a crucial role in the security of the Korean Peninsula, including commanding the United States Forces Korea. Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, emphasized, "The visit to INDOPACOM symbolically demonstrated the strong unity and power of the ROK-U.S. alliance ahead of strengthening solidarity and cooperation with value-based allies in Washington D.C. INDOPACOM is like the backbone of the U.S. Forces Korea and the ROK-U.S. alliance."

Upon arrival at INDOPACOM, President Yoon participated in a welcoming ceremony and took a commemorative photo in front of the INDOPACOM emblem with Commander Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Forces Korea Paul LaCamera, and key ROK-U.S. officials including commanders of the Pacific Army, Fleet, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

He then moved to the commander's office and awarded Commander Paparo the Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal. This medal was awarded by the South Korean government in recognition of Commander Paparo's contributions to strengthening the combined defense posture during his previous three-year tenure as Commander of the Pacific Fleet.

President Yoon exchanged views with Commander Paparo on major security issues on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. President Yoon stated, "North Korea's advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities and continuous provocations are undermining security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. A firm combined defense posture is more essential than ever, and INDOPACOM's role in this is critical." When Commander Paparo clenched his fist and shouted, "We go together," President Yoon responded by clenching his fist and saying, "We go together."

Afterwards, President Yoon moved to the operations center to receive a briefing on INDOPACOM's operational status and continued discussions. At this meeting, President Yoon expressed gratitude for INDOPACOM's efforts to maintain the combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula and emphasized closer cooperation between the ROK and U.S. military authorities.

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the Indo-Pacific Command at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii, USA, on the 9th (local time). After delivering an encouragement speech, he shook hands with the troops and left the venue. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also took time in the lobby to encourage about 200 INDOPACOM personnel. He said, "This visit to INDOPACOM is to further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance and combined defense posture amid the serious security situation on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "The dedicated efforts of INDOPACOM personnel are the true strength leading the ROK-U.S. alliance and international community solidarity." He also stated, "The very existence of INDOPACOM is a powerful force protecting South Korea's liberal democracy and economic prosperity, and I have infinite trust in your dedicated efforts and courageous spirit."

On the U.S. side, attendees included Commander Paparo, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, Commander LaCamera, Pacific Army Commander Charles Flynn, Pacific Air Forces Commander Kevin Schneider, Pacific Fleet Commander Steven Koehler, and Pacific Marine Corps Commander William Jurney. On the South Korean side, participants included Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol, National Security Office Director Jang Ho-jin, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Kang Ho-pil, Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, Consul General in Honolulu Lee Seo-young, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, Chief of Public Relations Lee Do-woon, and Defense Secretary Choi Byung-ok.

Local media also extensively covered President Yoon's visit to the Indo-Pacific Command. The major Hawaii daily, Star-Advertiser, reported on the 8th (local time) that "This is the first visit by a Korean president since the U.S. Pacific Command was reorganized as the Indo-Pacific Command in 2018," and introduced that "South Korea announced its Indo-Pacific strategy in 2022, advocating its role as a 'global pivotal state' and strengthening ties with countries in the region."

In particular, the report noted, "President Yoon's visit to Hawaii took place amid rising tensions in the Pacific region, including China's maritime territorial disputes and strengthened military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," and explained, "The war in Ukraine becoming a major issue on the Korean Peninsula was unexpected; North Korea is supplying weapons to Russia, and South Korea, while not directly, is providing military supplies to the Ukrainian forces through neighboring countries such as Poland." The media added, "Russia and North Korea have established a new strategic partnership, while South Korea is considering direct military aid to Ukraine. The 'Indo-Pacific Four (IP4),' including South Korea, are not NATO allies but are closely linked with 21st-century NATO, and Europe is increasingly concerned about tensions in the South China Sea and the Pacific, leading to growing interest in this region and the IP4."