Strengthening Defense Posture between Korea and the US... Combined Forces Command Change of Command Ceremony Today

'US Passing' Martial Law Fallout... End of Concerns Over ROK-US Alliance
Departing Ruckamera "No Shrinking Due to External Factors"

As concerns grow that North Korea may provoke amid South Korea's political turmoil, the change of command ceremony for the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command is set to take place. The military authorities of both countries have repeatedly emphasized the steadfast alliance and maintenance of defense posture.

According to ROK-U.S. military authorities on the 20th, General Paul LaCamera will transfer command authority over the United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea to General Jay B. Branson on this day. The change of command ceremony will be held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, and will be presided over by Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command. Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho will also attend and plans to meet with Commander Paparo.

In June 2018, the United States Forces Korea Headquarters opening ceremony was held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command concurrently serves as the Commander of the United Nations Command and the Commander of United States Forces Korea. U.S. President Joe Biden nominated General Branson as the successor commander last September, and the Senate confirmed the nomination in the same month.

Concerns about cracks in the ROK-U.S. alliance arose after it was reported that there was no prior consultation with the U.S. during President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law on the 3rd. Since then, the U.S. government and military authorities have repeatedly reaffirmed their support for South Korea, and the change of command proceeded as scheduled, signaling a return to stability.

Acting Minister Kim Seon-ho held a phone consultation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the morning of the same day, sharing opinions on North Korean developments and security conditions on the Korean Peninsula. Outgoing Commander LaCamera also stated in a video conference after the martial law declaration, "We will ensure that training, activities, and operations are not curtailed due to external factors."