Lee Jong-seop: "Strengthening Combined Defense Posture through US-ROK Combined Forces Command Relocation to Pyeongtaek"

Joint Chiefs of Staff Pyeongtaek Relocation Ceremony... "Soldiers Shoulder to Shoulder, Strengthening Cooperation System"

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop stated on the 15th, "With the United States Forces Korea (USFK), United Nations Command (UNC), and United States Forces Korea Joint Command all located at Camp Humphreys, we can maintain a stronger combined defense posture."

Minister Lee made this assessment during his congratulatory speech at the '44th Anniversary Ceremony of the Relocation and Establishment of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command' held at the Camp Humphreys US military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, that morning.

He said, "In the context of the escalating threat from North Korea, the opening of the Combined Forces Command's Pyeongtaek era holds great significance," adding, "By having the combined forces personnel, who had been working separately in Yongsan and Pyeongtaek for several years, now working shoulder to shoulder, the cooperation system between South Korea and the US will become even stronger." He also recalled the agreement made at the 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held earlier this month at the US Department of Defense headquarters, where both sides committed to actively cooperating so that the Combined Forces Command can establish a stronger combined defense posture at the new base.

He explained, "Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and I confirmed the firmness of the ROK-US military alliance and the solidity of the combined defense posture through the SCM earlier this month," adding, "Through this, we decided to further strengthen the US extended deterrence capabilities to effectively deter and respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats."

Minister Lee mentioned North Korea's aggressive nuclear policies, including the legalization of its nuclear weapons policy and recent serial provocations such as violations of the September 19 Military Agreement, emphasizing again, "(Through the SCM) we made it clear that any attempt at a nuclear attack by North Korea will bring about the end of the Kim Jong-un regime."

He concluded by quoting the proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together," and urged, "I hope that the ROK-US combined forces personnel, as reliable friends and comrades, will always trust, rely on, and work together, building an even stronger 'Fight Tonight' posture."

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