USFK Commander Calls Outgoing ROK JCS Chairman a "True Friend"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]General Robert Abrams, Commander of the United States Forces Korea (Combined Forces Command), said on the 17th that General Park Han-ki, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is about to retire, "has made significant progress regarding the transfer of wartime operational control."

When General Won In-chul, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Park Han-ki will conclude his 37-year military career.

Commander Abrams presided over the 'Farewell Ceremony for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff' held at the Yongsan US military base that morning and said, "I am grateful to Chairman Park, who has sacrificed not only for the Republic of Korea but also for the ROK-US alliance for 37 years."

He evaluated, "We commemorate the military career of Chairman Park, an excellent commander, patriot, and true friend of the alliance," adding, "Chairman Park maintained combined combat readiness and supervised the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement, which greatly eased tensions around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)."

He continued, "Thanks to Chairman Park's leadership, more was achieved last year than in the previous three years," and said, "Because of Chairman Park, the ROK-US alliance has become militarily stronger than ever and has built a more cooperative relationship."

He emphasized, "We faced many challenges together with Chairman Park and reaffirmed that any obstacles and adversities can be overcome together," adding, "Chairman Park ensured that the ROK-US alliance remains an unbreakable alliance."

Attending the farewell ceremony, Chairman Park said, "During difficult times, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command has been a great force for peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "The ROK-US alliance has never retreated. I will do everything I can for the future development of the ROK-US alliance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.