Sitting President's Visit to Inta Sa After 29 Years
"Illegal North Korea-Russia Arms Trade Threatens Korean Peninsula and World Peace"
"Strong Power and Value-Sharing Nation Solidarity Essential"
President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers an encouragement speech to the troops during his visit to the United States Indo-Pacific Command at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii on the 9th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is visiting Hawaii, USA, stated on the 9th (local time), "North Korea is threatening not only the Korean Peninsula but also world peace through illegal arms transactions with Russia," adding, "To protect our freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity from reckless forces, strong power and solidarity among value-sharing countries are essential."
On the same day in the morning, President Yoon visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) located in Honolulu, Hawaii, to directly inspect the combined defense posture between South Korea and the United States. This marks the first visit by a sitting president of the Republic of Korea to USINDOPACOM in 29 years.
In his encouragement speech, President Yoon said, "I am very pleased to visit USINDOPACOM, the oldest and largest unified combatant command in the United States, responsible for a vast area covering more than half of the globe," emphasizing, "USINDOPACOM supports the combined defense posture between South Korea and the United States and plays a central role in the deployment of U.S. reinforcement forces in case of emergencies on the Korean Peninsula, serving as a pillar of the ROK-U.S. alliance."
He continued, "After receiving a briefing on the current operational status, I once again firmly felt the critical role USINDOPACOM plays in maintaining peace and stability in the region," and added, "In particular, I confirmed once again that USINDOPACOM plays a key role in maintaining the combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula during both wartime and peacetime." President Yoon explained, "This visit to USINDOPACOM is to firmly strengthen the ironclad ROK-U.S. alliance and our combined defense posture amid the severe international situation and security conditions on the Korean Peninsula."
President Yoon pointed out, "The North Korean regime has legalized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons while neglecting the miserable lives of its people by advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities," and stated, "North Korea is threatening not only the Korean Peninsula but also world peace through illegal arms transactions with Russia."
He also noted, "Last month, North Korea signed a 'Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' with Russia and is deepening military and economic cooperation, which is further raising concerns in the international community."
President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command at Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii on the 9th (local time) and listened to the U.S. national anthem with U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo during the honor guard ceremony. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon previously introduced that he confirmed the firm U.S. defense commitment and posture firsthand by attending the Camp David summit of the three countries Korea, the U.S., and Japan in August last year, the first-ever trilateral multi-domain military exercise 'Freedom's Edge' in June this year, and boarding the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier during its recent visit to Korea.
He added, "At this very moment, near the coast of Hawaii, the ROK Navy's ROKS Yulgok Yi I and the U.S. Navy's USS Carl Vinson, along with allied countries, are participating in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), enhancing operational capabilities and interoperability," emphasizing, "Strong capabilities based on solid commitments and cooperation are the driving force firmly protecting the rules-based regional order, and at the core of this is USINDOPACOM."
President Yoon said, "The dedication and efforts of the USINDOPACOM personnel are the true strength leading the strong ROK-U.S. alliance, ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and solidarity of the international community," and expressed, "I once again thank USINDOPACOM and its subordinate component commands for their contributions to strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and combined defense posture and regional peace, and I send infinite trust to all service members."
Finally, he added, "I understand that the command guidance of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo is 'Prevail!,' and I am confident that USINDOPACOM will always be a command that dominates the battlefield and achieves victory."
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