President Moon: "A Meaningful Occasion of Becoming Family, Further Developing the ROK-US Alliance"

Farewell Luncheon with the Outgoing ROK-US Combined Forces Commander and the Blue House... "High Expectations for the Incoming Commander Well-Acquainted with the Korean Peninsula Situation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "The Korean word ‘sikgu’ (식구), which refers to family members, means people who live together in one household and share meals, but it also signifies those who share joys and sorrows together."

President Moon Jae-in said this on the 1st during a luncheon with Robert Abrams, the outgoing Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command. President Moon stated, "I believe that through this meaningful occasion of becoming ‘sikgu,’ the ROK-US alliance will further develop."

On the same day, President Moon also showed and explained the ‘Hosinmun Janghwan-do’ (호신문장환도) sword he presented as a gift to Commander Abrams.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, explained, "The Hosinmun Janghwan-do (虎身紋裝環刀), made by an intangible cultural heritage swordsmith, is a work modeled after the Hwandodo sword from the Joseon Dynasty. It is a Hwandodo decorated with a tiger pattern on the sword’s scabbard, and it was customary during the Joseon era to bestow swords to generals who had distinguished achievements."

President Moon said, "During Commander Abrams’ tenure, the ROK-US alliance grew stronger, and significant achievements were made, including the implementation of the September 19 military agreement and the North Korea-US summits, which eased tensions on the Korean Peninsula and maintained peace."

President Moon also praised Commander Abrams, saying, "He even has a Korean name, General Woo Byung-su (禹柄秀), and successfully fulfilled three roles as the Commander of US Forces Korea, Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and Commander of the United Nations Command."

President Moon then expressed high expectations for the new Commander, General Michael A. LaCamera, saying, "He has experience serving at the front lines in Korea and is well acquainted with the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, so I have great expectations for his appointment as the new commander."

President Moon urged, "Please take an interest in current ROK-US alliance issues such as the transfer of wartime operational control and the return of Yongsan Garrison, and achieve results through close communication with the Republic of Korea military."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon also congratulated Admiral John C. Aquilino, the Indo-Pacific Command Commander, who attended the farewell ceremony, saying, "Although belated, congratulations on your appointment as Indo-Pacific Command Commander. Please play a significant role in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."

Commander Abrams said, "I inherited the Abrams family legacy of contributing to Korea’s defense. My father served in the Korean War in June 1953, my eldest brother served in the Demilitarized Zone in 1962, my second brother served as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division from 1993 to 1995, and both my father-in-law and brother-in-law also served in Korea."

Commander Abrams added, "US Forces Korea and their families were fortunate to be stationed in Korea, which was safer than anywhere else in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Commander LaCamera said, "I have spent many days away from my family due to overseas assignments, so I am happy to serve in Korea with my family this time. I will do my best to continue the alliance’s development by taking over the baton from Commander Abrams."

Admiral Aquilino said, "The ROK-US alliance is the linchpin of regional peace," and added, "Through today’s event, I understand why the ROK-US alliance is strong," showing a photo taken with President Moon at the Republic of Korea Navy International Fleet Review in October 2018.

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